John Searle And the Construction of Social Reality

by Joshua Rust

"In 1995 John Searle published The Construction of Social Reality, a text which promises not only to disclose the institutional backdrop against which speech takes place, but also to initiate a new "philosophy of society." Since then The Construction of Social Reality has been subject to a flurry of criticism. While many of Searle's interlocutors share the sense that the text marks an important breakthrough, he has time and again accused critics of misunderstanding his claims. Despite Searle's characteristic crispness and clarity there remains some confusion, among both philosophers and sociologists, regarding the significance of his proposals." This book traces some of the high points of this dialogue, leveraging Searle's own clarifications to propose a new way of understanding the text. In particular, Joshua Rust looks to Max Weber in suggesting that Searle has articulated an ideal type. In locating The Construction of Social Reality under the umbrella of one of sociology's founding fathers, this book not only makes Searle's text more accessible to readers in the social sciences, but also presents Max Weber as a thinker worthy of philosophical reconsideration. Moreover, the recharacterization of Searle's claims in terms of the ideal type helps facilitate a comparison between Searle and other social theorists such as Margaret Gilbert.

224 pages, Hardcover

First published December 15, 2005

Reviews

[dan potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Explains big ideas and gives example that is a realization and a principle of your understanding you own understanding. Castaneda teaches the same intentionality but to the point one can see the real world and can change the dream we believe is real but taught to us can reverse the roles and change the world by believing you are able too.

[Jeffrey]

Just picked this up. Have to admit I don't follow Searlevery far into his philosophy, and will be reading this with a very critical eye.