Economics Dictionary of ArgumentsHome
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| Intersubjectivity: intersubjectivity is the mutual recognition of an inner life by conscious subjects. The precondition is the conscious recognition of one's own inner life by a subject, as well as the assumption that other subjects share the main features of the inner constitution which the subject identifies in itself. These include language, sensation of pain, memory capability, the drive for self-preservation, and certain interests. Intersubjectivity is used by some authors as a substitute for an objectivity, which is regarded as unachievable._____________Annotation: The above characterizations of concepts are neither definitions nor exhausting presentations of problems related to them. Instead, they are intended to give a short introduction to the contributions below. – Lexicon of Arguments. | |||
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Adam Smith on Intersubjectivity - Dictionary of Arguments
Otteson I 17 Intersubjectivity/Adam Smith/Otteson: Thought example/Adam Smith: Smith asks us to imagine a person who had grown up entirely outside of human society, With no contact with other humans - a solitary islander, perhaps (TMS(1): 110 - 11 ). Would such a person, were he able to survive on his own, have any sentiments we could call properly "moral"? Intersubjectivity/objectivity: Smith's answer is no: he might develop likes or dislikes (this tastes good, this doesn't; this hurts, this doesn't; and so on), but such a person, Smith contends, would not develop notions of propriety or impropriety - no "I should not have done that," or "I acted unjustly." The reason, Smith thinks, is because he has not had experience with the "mirror" on his own conduct that society with others provides. He has thus never had the feedback, both negative and positive, from the judgment of others, (…). >Sympathy/Adam Smith, >Judgment/Adam Smith, >Ideal observer/Adam Smith, >Stages of Development/Adam Smith, >Generalization/Adam Smith, >Understanding /Adam Smith, >Taste, >Tactfulness, >Society, >Behavior, >Objectivity, >Impartiality. Intersubjectivity: It is upon being judged by others, and having the pleasant or unpleasant (as the case may be) experience of realizing that we enjoyed a sympathy or antipathy of sentiments with others, that we begin striving to consciously direct our own behavior to achieve more of the former and less of the latter. Only then do we begin developing and exercising the virtue Smith describes as "not only itself a great virtue, but from it all the other virtues seem to derive their principal lustre" (TMS(1): 241 ) - namely, "self-command," or controlling our behavior so that it comports with others' expectations and judgments. Only then do we begin the long process of becoming fully moral agents. Being in the company of others is, therefore, necessary not only because it might enable us to become wealthy (…) but in the first instance because it enables us to become moral. 1. Smith, Adam (1982) [1759]. The Theory of Moral Sentiments. D. D. Raphael and A. L. Macfie, eds. Liberty Fund._____________Explanation of symbols: Roman numerals indicate the source, arabic numerals indicate the page number. The corresponding books are indicated on the right hand side. ((s)…): Comment by the sender of the contribution. Translations: Dictionary of Arguments The note [Concept/Author], [Author1]Vs[Author2] or [Author]Vs[term] resp. "problem:"/"solution:", "old:"/"new:" and "thesis:" is an addition from the Dictionary of Arguments. If a German edition is specified, the page numbers refer to this edition. |
EconSmith I Adam Smith The Theory of Moral Sentiments London 2010 EconSmithV I Vernon L. Smith Rationality in Economics: Constructivist and Ecological Forms Cambridge 2009 Otteson I James R. Otteson The Essential Adam Smith Vancouver: Fraser Institute. 2018 |
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