Hello Anthony
What I mean is that I agree with the postmodern critique of the idea of an
unchanging self inasmuch as I can see how we construct and re-invent
ourselves all the time through our personal narratives etc. However I think
that this approach goes too far if it denies any usefulness or validity to
the notion of a meaningful continuity of the self. The common human
experience of a sense of authenticity seems to suggest a 'centre of gravity'
at least.
Anyway, even if you do allow no essential reality to the self, it would be
theoretically possible to hold a realism about the external world, ie that
there really is something 'out there', that intuitions against idealism or
solipsism should be taken seriously, that reality is more than simply
'consensual'.
What I suppose I'm seeking to find out is whether, when the word 'realism'
is used in social science, it has a more limited/specific usage than it does
in philosophy as a whole - so that someone might be a non - realist
(constructivist) view of self but a realist with respect to the world.
I hope this is at least coherent if not correct.
Will
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-foucault@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:owner-foucault@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Anthony
McCann
Sent: 17 November 2002 15:35
To: foucault@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: social construction & realism
Is it possible to have a social constructionist view of epistemology and
yet
hold to an ontological realism? Conceptually I guess it is, but does
anyone?>
Welcome to the list.
In what sense do you mean ontological realism, Will?
All the best
Anthony McCann
http://www.beyondthecommons.com
What I mean is that I agree with the postmodern critique of the idea of an
unchanging self inasmuch as I can see how we construct and re-invent
ourselves all the time through our personal narratives etc. However I think
that this approach goes too far if it denies any usefulness or validity to
the notion of a meaningful continuity of the self. The common human
experience of a sense of authenticity seems to suggest a 'centre of gravity'
at least.
Anyway, even if you do allow no essential reality to the self, it would be
theoretically possible to hold a realism about the external world, ie that
there really is something 'out there', that intuitions against idealism or
solipsism should be taken seriously, that reality is more than simply
'consensual'.
What I suppose I'm seeking to find out is whether, when the word 'realism'
is used in social science, it has a more limited/specific usage than it does
in philosophy as a whole - so that someone might be a non - realist
(constructivist) view of self but a realist with respect to the world.
I hope this is at least coherent if not correct.
Will
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-foucault@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:owner-foucault@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Anthony
McCann
Sent: 17 November 2002 15:35
To: foucault@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: social construction & realism
Is it possible to have a social constructionist view of epistemology and
yet
hold to an ontological realism? Conceptually I guess it is, but does
anyone?>
Welcome to the list.
In what sense do you mean ontological realism, Will?
All the best
Anthony McCann
http://www.beyondthecommons.com