The Philosophy of Sociality : The Shared Point of View

## Abstract The intuitive starting point of the book is the distinction between thinking and acting as a private person versus as a group member. People may view things from their own personal viewpoint and base their thinking and acting on this “I-perspective”. They can then be said to operate as private persons, in the I-mode, even when they are engaged in social action with others. Alternatively, they may adopt the perspective of their social group and view things from a full “we-perspective”, that is, from the group's point of view that is constituted and shared by its members. Then they can be said to operate in the we-mode. The most central thesis of the book is that collective intentionality is an essential ingredient in sociality and that especially we-mode collective intentionality is important. Social life and social institutions cannot be properly understood or explained in terms of I-mode concepts only, and in certain respects the we-mode can even be seen as primary when compared to the I-mode. The book develops a systematic theory of sociality giving special emphasis on phenomena of collective intentionality, such as joint intentions, collective commitment, collective action, and group beliefs. The theory is used to investigate such topics as social institutions, cooperation, cultural evolution, and group responsibility. We-mode intentionality is compared with various forms of I-mode intentionality, and it is argued that the we-mode is irreducible to the I-mode. Yet the present book defends a naturalistic view of the social world. Accordingly, it is argued that the we-mode is an adaptation based on the co-evolution of genetic and cultural factors. The present book offers new ideas and conceptual tools for philosophers and social scientists interested in the conceptual and philosophical foundations of social theorizing. The Philosophy of Sociality examines the nature of sociality in its various forms, with special emphasis on collective intentionality. Raimo Tuomela begins with a distinction between the we-perspective" and the "I-perspective. His study of strong collective intentionality as expressed by joint intentions, collective commitment, group belief, authority-based group action, and other phenomena outlines the circumstances under which an individual is required to think and act as a group member. By developing a systematic theory of sociality, Tuomela investigates such topics as social institutions, cooperation, cultural evolution, and group responsibility. In The Philosophy of Sociality Tuomela asserts that we-mode collective intentionality is a conceptual prerequisite for understanding basic social notions. He finds several contexts in which we-mode intentionality is preferable to pro-group I-mode intentionality. He ultimately defends a naturalistic view of the social world by arguing that the we-mode is a genetic and cultural adaptaion Contents......Page 10 Introduction......Page 14 1. Acting as a Group Member......Page 24 2. The We-Mode and the I-Mode......Page 57 3. Shared We-Attitudes......Page 76 4. Joint Intention and We-Intention......Page 94 5. Joint Social Action......Page 117 6. Group Action and Group Attitudes......Page 135 7. Cooperation......Page 160 8. Social Institutions......Page 193 9. Cultural Evolution of Cooperative Social Activities......Page 226 10. Group Responsibility......Page 244 Notes......Page 265 References......Page 313 C......Page 322 G......Page 324 I......Page 325 N......Page 326 S......Page 327 W......Page 328 Z......Page 329 Concepts based on full-blown collective intentionality (aboutness), viz., we-mode intentionality, are central for understanding and explaining the social world. The book systematically studies social groups, acting in them as a group member, collective commitment, group intentions, beliefs, and actions, especially authority-based group attitudes and actions. There are also chapters on cooperation, social institutions, cultural evolution, and group responsibility. With chapters on cooperation, social institutions, cultural evolution, and group responsibility, this text systematically studies social groups, acting in them as a group member, collective commitment, group intentions, beliefs, and actions, especially authority-based group attitudes and actions. Acting as a group member The we-mode and the I-mode Shared we-attitudes in the I-mode Joint intention and we-intention Joint social action Group action and group attitudes Cooperation Social institutions Cultural evolution of cooperative social activities Group responsibility.