The Concept of Action

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Anthropology, Reference & Language, Language Arts
Cover of the book The Concept of Action by N. J. Enfield, Jack Sidnell, Cambridge University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: N. J. Enfield, Jack Sidnell ISBN: 9781108505567
Publisher: Cambridge University Press Publication: October 12, 2017
Imprint: Cambridge University Press Language: English
Author: N. J. Enfield, Jack Sidnell
ISBN: 9781108505567
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Publication: October 12, 2017
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Language: English

When people do things with words, how do we know what they are doing? Many scholars have assumed a category of things called actions: 'requests', 'proposals', 'complaints', 'excuses'. The idea is both convenient and intuitive, but as this book argues, it is a spurious concept of action. In interaction, a person's primary task is to decide how to respond, not to label what someone just did. The labeling of actions is a meta-level process, appropriate only when we wish to draw attention to others' behaviors in order to quiz, sanction, praise, blame, or otherwise hold them to account. This book develops a new account of action grounded in certain fundamental ideas about the nature of human sociality: that social conduct is naturally interpreted as purposeful; that human behavior is shaped under a tyranny of social accountability; and that language is our central resource for social action and reaction.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

When people do things with words, how do we know what they are doing? Many scholars have assumed a category of things called actions: 'requests', 'proposals', 'complaints', 'excuses'. The idea is both convenient and intuitive, but as this book argues, it is a spurious concept of action. In interaction, a person's primary task is to decide how to respond, not to label what someone just did. The labeling of actions is a meta-level process, appropriate only when we wish to draw attention to others' behaviors in order to quiz, sanction, praise, blame, or otherwise hold them to account. This book develops a new account of action grounded in certain fundamental ideas about the nature of human sociality: that social conduct is naturally interpreted as purposeful; that human behavior is shaped under a tyranny of social accountability; and that language is our central resource for social action and reaction.

More books from Cambridge University Press

Cover of the book Trade and Poverty Reduction in the Asia-Pacific Region by N. J. Enfield, Jack Sidnell
Cover of the book Register, Genre, and Style by N. J. Enfield, Jack Sidnell
Cover of the book How to Prove It by N. J. Enfield, Jack Sidnell
Cover of the book Modern Compiler Implementation in C by N. J. Enfield, Jack Sidnell
Cover of the book Numerical Weather and Climate Prediction by N. J. Enfield, Jack Sidnell
Cover of the book The Philosophy of Economics by N. J. Enfield, Jack Sidnell
Cover of the book Frameworks for Water Law Reform by N. J. Enfield, Jack Sidnell
Cover of the book A-Z of Abdominal Radiology by N. J. Enfield, Jack Sidnell
Cover of the book The Empire Project by N. J. Enfield, Jack Sidnell
Cover of the book Interpreting Heidegger by N. J. Enfield, Jack Sidnell
Cover of the book Soldiers, Politicians, and Civilians by N. J. Enfield, Jack Sidnell
Cover of the book Categorical Homotopy Theory by N. J. Enfield, Jack Sidnell
Cover of the book Models from the Past in Roman Culture by N. J. Enfield, Jack Sidnell
Cover of the book The Privatization of Peacekeeping by N. J. Enfield, Jack Sidnell
Cover of the book Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology by N. J. Enfield, Jack Sidnell
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy