Reality, Consciousness, and Reality, Consciousness, and KnowledgeKnowledge

Much of this is from:Much of this is from:– From Peter Berger and Thomas LuckmannFrom Peter Berger and Thomas Luckmann

The Social Construction of Reality (1966)The Social Construction of Reality (1966)

Eight Characteristics of Eight Characteristics of ConsciousnessConsciousness

AKA “Natural Attitude” or AKA “Natural Attitude” or “Reality”“Reality”

1. Intentionality

Intentional– Reality imposed by our attentiveness– We project our understanding on to the world

Perception of coiled rope – not snake?

2. Patterned and Independent

Appears to be patterned and independent of our apprehensions

Assumption that we are not the source, but it is “out there”

3. Language3. Language

Largely symbolicLargely symbolic

Talk provides “objectifications”Talk provides “objectifications”

4. Situation Bound

Time: the now

Space: the here

The here of my body and the now of my present

5. Intersubjective5. Intersubjective

Intersubjective realityIntersubjective reality

Knowledge of others’ natural attitude is Knowledge of others’ natural attitude is sharedshared

Common sense with emphasis on Common sense with emphasis on “common”“common”

6. Taken-for-granted

Taken-for-grantedness

We must suspend doubt to exist in a routine

Most doubt is reflexive ... i.e. acts back to verify the reality of this reality. (i.e., loud noise in the night.... etc)

7. Reality is Problematic7. Reality is Problematic

When problems arise, our response is to When problems arise, our response is to bring order upon and routinizebring order upon and routinize

If we cannot locate experience within If we cannot locate experience within natural attitude, we must assume beyond natural attitude, we must assume beyond – (hence, religions, insanity, etc.)(hence, religions, insanity, etc.)

Natural Attitude (con’d)

8. Can be Multiple

“Finite Provinces of Meaning”– other realities that may or may not compete

with paramount reality– Reality of dreams – theater – – Turns attention away from reality

Can only be shared through symbols (i.e., language)

example of religion

Marijuana as an experience

IV. SOCIAL STOCK OF KNOWLEDGE

Language allows the accumulation of biographical and historical knowledge into fields or zones of meaning

– Passed on from generation to generation

– Permit location (i.e., identity) within context of social stock of knowledge

Family Tree (Charlemagne)Family Tree (Charlemagne)

IV. SOCIAL STOCK OF KNOWLEDGE (con’d)

Characteristics of the Social Stock of Knowledge (will focus on 4)– #1 - Predominated by recipe knowledge

(pragmatic motive)generally taken for granted and non-problematic (except when learning)

Some Examples of Recipe KnowledgeSome Examples of Recipe Knowledge

Characteristics of the Social Stock of Knowledge (con’d)

Characteristic #2 - Differentiated by degrees of familiarity– some things very familiar (driving a car)– others things may be quite problematic

(changing a tire – AAA)– The The unfamiliar is integrated by our knowledge

of this differentiation – Go to the doctor for specialized help... Where to get neighborhood gossip?Are we becoming a world of specialists?

Characteristics of the Social Stock of Knowledge (con’d)

Characteristic #3 – – Includes knowledge of relevancy

structures of otherswe know what others want to hear

Guides us on how to act toward others– Cop– Waitress– mother of child– Grand parents– Professors and students

Characteristics of the Social Stock of Knowledge (con’d)

Characteristic #4 –– Differentially Distributed

reflects social structure

inequality structure

gender lines

Examples– Social Science Perspective – Sports– Foodies

Differentiated VocabulariesDifferentiated Vocabularies

The Hip Song, Chad Mitchell TrioThe Hip Song, Chad Mitchell Trio

Chad Mitchell Trio - Hip Song (It Does Not Pay to Be Too Hip).mp3

Name the PerspectiveName the Perspective

Finite Provinces of MeaningFinite Provinces of Meaning

IdeologyIdeology

Taken-for-grantednessTaken-for-grantedness

Commonsense “knowledge”Commonsense “knowledge”

TypificationsTypifications

InstitutionalizationInstitutionalization

Intentionality of consciousnessIntentionality of consciousness"Sum total of typifications and the recurrent "Sum total of typifications and the recurrent

patterns of interaction established by means of them."patterns of interaction established by means of them."

Name the SportName the Sport

Agricultural shot  Agricultural shot 

BeamerBeamer

Chin musicChin music

Gazunder  Gazunder 

Leg byeLeg bye

Nurdle Nurdle

Pinch-hitter  Pinch-hitter 

BowlerBowler

YorkerYorker

Foodie’s Cupcake IngredientsFoodie’s Cupcake Ingredients

Scharffen Berger cocoa genoise Scharffen Berger cocoa genoise Cask-aged Jamaican rumCask-aged Jamaican rumBalinese vanilla bean  mousseBalinese vanilla bean  mousseCowgirl Creamery creme fraiche Cowgirl Creamery creme fraiche Twin Girl Farms Meyer lemonTwin Girl Farms Meyer lemonwild-crafted Mendocino huckleberrieswild-crafted Mendocino huckleberriesshavings of hand-cracked Mission District coconutshavings of hand-cracked Mission District coconutan indiscernable hint of Fleur d' Sel an indiscernable hint of Fleur d' Sel 64 percent E. Guittard bittersweet (made with Criollo and Trinitario 64 percent E. Guittard bittersweet (made with Criollo and Trinitario cacao beans) cacao beans) Strauss buttercream Strauss buttercream Artisinal rice krispies and cacao nibs Artisinal rice krispies and cacao nibs turbinado sugarturbinado sugarEl Ray chocolate spikes.El Ray chocolate spikes.