Sunday, 2 November 2008

Meaning as retrospective accounting practice

So, what is the meaning of anything we do?

It would seem that the meaning of anything we have done requires an account, a retrospective telling, that firmly situates our descriptions in understandable forms.

So, to ascertain the meaning of anything you have done, simply provide an account.

But, what about the 'true' meaning, the 'real' meaning?

You will know what the true meaning is -- for all practical purposes. And giving an account of the meaning, well, isn't that as much a part of the meaning making as the action itself?

What about things we will do?

Provide an account.

The real test, of course, is in providing these accounts 'in public' and engaging in practices of 'meaning ratification'.

What one does not really want to do, is engage in these activities in isolation...

No comments: