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Mind and Social Reality Masaryk University Faculty of Economics and Administration Study program: Economics METHODOLOGICAL INDIVIDUALISM: MIND AND SOCIAL REALITY Metodologický Individualizmus: Myseľ a Spoločenská Realita Bachelor´s Thesis Advisor: Author: Mgr. Josef Menšík Ph.D. Ján KRCHŇAVÝ Brno 2020 Name and last name of the author: Ján Krchňavý Title of master thesis: Methodological Individualism: Mind and Social Reality Department: Department of Economics Supervisor of bachelor thesis: Mgr. Josef Menšík, Ph.D. Year of defence: 2020 Abstract The submitted bachelor thesis is concerned with the relation between mind and social reality and the role of the mind in the creation of social reality. This relation is examined from the perspective of the social ontology of John Searle, an American philosopher who is considered to be the proponent of methodological individualism. This thesis aims to reconsider the standard, mentalistic interpretation of Searle’s social ontology, one that is centred around the primary role of the mind in the construction of social reality, to examine criticisms of such approach which highlight the professed neglect of the role that social practices have for social reality, and to provide an alternative, practice-based reading of Searle’s social ontology. The thesis thus proceeds first by outlining the standard interpretation of Searle’s theory as put forward mainly in his two monographs on social reality. Subsequently, the objections against such an approach from an alternative, practice-based approach, which highlights the role of social practices for the constitution of society, are raised. Following these objections, the Searle’s social ontology is looked at again in an effort to find an alternative interpretation that would bring it closer to the ideas and principles of the practice-based approach, and thereby provide a response to some objections against the missing role of the social practices in his theory as well as open the way for the novel interpretation of his social ontology. Before embarking on the central issue, the thesis enquires into the basic outline of the social ontology and the life and work of John Searle, the introduction of which is indispensable for the apprehension of the central part of the thesis. Key words: Social ontology, methodological individualism, Searle, collective intentionality, construction of social reality, mentalistic approach, practice-based approach Declaration Hereby I declare that this master thesis has been composed solely by myself under the supervision of Mgr. Josef Menšík, PhD. Except where stated otherwise by reference, the presented thesis is entirely my authorial work. Furthermore, I declare that this work has been elaborated in compliance with the law, the internal regulations of Masaryk University, and the binding internal documents of Masaryk University and the Faculty of Economics and Administration. In Brno on July 15, 2020 signature of author Acknowledgment I would like to thank my supervisor, doctor Josef Menšík, for all the support during the writing the thesis, which consisted in stimulating discussions, valuable insights and advices, as well as possibility of attending the Brno Epistemology and Social Ontology and discussing the topic of my thesis on the regular meetings of this group. I would also like to thank my family and friends for providing me with an encouraging environment and support, which helped me a lot to complete the thesis. List of contents INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................................................................ 9 1 SOCIAL ONTOLOGY ............................................................................................................................................................................... 10 1.1 Mentalistic and Practice-based approaches ................................................................................................ 11 1.2 Social Ontology and Economics ................................................................................................................... 12 2 JOHN SEARLE: INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................................... 13 2.1 Earlier work: Philosophy of Language and Philosophy of mind .................................................................. 13 2.1.2 Intentionality ............................................................................................................................................ 14 2.3 Main principles: Scientific Naturalism and External Realism ...................................................................... 15 2.4. Reasons behind choosing Searle’s social ontology ..................................................................................... 16 2 SEARLE’S SOCIAL ONTOLOGY: SOCIETY AS THE PRODUCT OF MENTAL REPRESENTATIONS ................................... 17 2.1 When humans think together: the phenomenon of collective intentionality ............................................ 17 2.1.1 Searle and collective intentionality ...................................................................................................... 18 2.2 Collective intentionality and social ontology............................................................................................... 19 2.2.1 Collective intentionality and the creation of social facts ..................................................................... 20 2.2.2 Collective intentionality and institutional facts ................................................................................... 21 2.2.3 Collective Intentionality and the deontic powers of institutional facts ............................................... 25 2.3 Summary and author’s interpretation ......................................................................................................... 27 3 SEARLE´S SOCIAL ONTOLOGY: THE OBJECTIONS FROM THE PRACTICE-BASED PERSPECTIVE ............................... 29 3.1 Practice-based approach to social ontology ................................................................................................ 29 3.1.1 Practice-based approach and the constitution of social reality ........................................................... 30 3.1.2 Practice-based approach and the mind of the individual .................................................................... 31 3.2 Criticism of Searle’s theory from the perspective of the practice-based approach .................................... 33 3.2.1 Searle placing the mind of an individual outside the interactions and social practices ...................... 33 3.2.2 Criticism of the role of collective intentionality for the creation of institutional facts ........................ 34 3.2.4 Searle’s narrow view on the social reality ............................................................................................ 37 3.2.5 Embeddedness of brute physical facts in social practices ................................................................... 39 3.3 Summary...................................................................................................................................................... 41 4 SEARLE’S SOCIAL ONTOLOGY AND PRACTICE-BASED APPROACH: POSSIBLE INTERSECTIONS ............................... 41 4.1. The emergence of some institutional facts as being a matter of social practices ...................................... 42 4.2 Continued maintenance of institutional facts as a matter of practice ........................................................ 43 4.3 Primacy of institutional acts over institutional objects ............................................................................... 44 4.4 The Background of social reality .................................................................................................................. 46 4.4.2 Background and social reality: The Construction of Social Reality ...................................................... 47 4.4.5 Conclusion: Background as offering a new perspective on looking at the individual and social reality ...................................................................................................................................................................... 50 4.5 Summary...................................................................................................................................................... 50 CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 51 BIBLIOGRAPHY .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 52 INTRODUCTION I believe it will deepen our understanding of social phenomena generally and help our research in the social sciences if we get a clearer understanding of the nature and the mode of existence of social reality. John Searle The social reality, a reality whose existence depends on human beings, is the fundamental subject matter of any inquiry into social sciences. It is the realm of being in which humans are engaged from the first to the last day of their lives, and which therefore fundamentally shapes all the aspects of their lives. Questions about
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