Collective Intentionality and Causal Powers

Bridging two traditions of social ontology, this paper examines the possibility that the concept of collective intentionality can help to explain the mechanisms underpinning the causal powers of some social entities. In particular, I argue that a minimal form of collective intentionality is part of...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Elder-Vass Dave
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: De Gruyter 2015-09-01
Series:Journal of Social Ontology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1515/jso-2014-0039
Description
Summary:Bridging two traditions of social ontology, this paper examines the possibility that the concept of collective intentionality can help to explain the mechanisms underpinning the causal powers of some social entities. In particular, I argue that a minimal form of collective intentionality is part of the mechanism underpinning the causal power of norm circles: the social entities causally responsible for social norms. There are, however, many different forms of social entity with causal power, and the relationship of collective intentionality to these causal powers varies, depending on the form of the mechanism underpinning the power concerned. Some powers depend on collective intentionality, and others do not.
ISSN:2196-9655
2196-9663