Concrete intersubjectivity: Analysis, language, ethics and politics of interaction – Short Course

Dr. Hili Razinsky, LanCog, Centre of Philosophy of the University of Lisbon
4, 6, 8 April 2022, 14:00-17:00. Venue: Room B.112.E/ B.112.G, School of Arts and Humanities, University of Lisbon
Language: English

Intersubjective interaction, relationships, and communication: The topic is subjects or persons
(psychophysical creatures) in concretely engaging with one another. Some human examples include
conversations; cases in which a person shows hostility to another who ignores it; a grocer-client
casual commercial acquaintance; a relationship of political corruption and friendship between a
corporate representative and an army general; and a lifetime relationship changing from love to
alienation met with hate and, as years go by, to an almost easygoing affection.
Classes may be attended independently. A philosophical background is not assumed.

Classes:
1 Interacting, and maintaining life and language with interaction, we all understand it. But how?
What is between concrete intersubjectivity and subjectivity? My work analyses them in terms of a
tension-fraught yet detailed structure.

2 Interaction is communication, but what is linguistic communication? how does the linguistic lens
elucidate interaction? How does mutual communication elucidate language?

3 Close attention to concrete intersubjectivity has substantial implications for ethics and politics. In
particular an interactive Kant-based categorical imperative can be developed. The logico-ethical
tension it exhibits goes together with guiding us in diverse ethical situations, for example in
relations of care, and under the oppressive reality of international relations.

References include Bratman, Davidson, De Jaegher and al., Gilbert, Gilligan, Grice, Honneth,
Hornsby, Kittay, Lorde, (Tony) Morrison, Singer, Weigand, Wittgenstein

Free attendance. Pre-registration by email to c.filosofia@letras.ulisboa.pt by April 1st.