Description
Book SynopsisIn modern life, we often hear people say things like, Catholics don''t believe in using birth control. There are many reasons that we want to know what groups of people (such as Catholics) are thinking and doing. But it''s hard to understand which social situations are being described by such statements. It''s also difficult to understand what speakers believe when they make such statements (even when the speakers are social scientists.) In this work, cognitive scientist and philosopher Todd Jones looks at the different things that social scientists and ordinary speakers mean when they make statements ascribing beliefs or actions to groups, rather than individuals. Such statements are often denigrated as mere stereotypes or generalizations. Yet they are also used by people to strategize about what actions to take, and even for social scientific explanations. In this work, Jones takes a detailed look at the different things these kinds of statements about groups can mean, and the vari
Trade ReviewIn the increasingly complex and turbid literature on group intentions, this interesting book is welcome fresh air. Integrating insights from philosophy, cognitive science, and social science with folk conceptions of group activity, Professor Jones models what we believe when we form and communicate beliefs about groups of people. This stimulating book would be an excellent vehicle for introducing students to the fascinating topic of group intentionality. -- Michael O'Rourke, University of Idaho
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Introduction. Statements About Groups: The Problem Chapter 2 Chapter 1. Groups Acting, and Beliefs About Groups Acting: What We Are Looking For And How We'll Find It Chapter 3 Chapter 2. Collective Claims About Individuals: How Many Chicagoans Need to Like Thick Pizza Before You Can Say "Chicagoans Like Thick Pizza"? Chapter 4 Chapter 3. What Starbucks Really Wants Chapter 5 Chapter 4. "We Go to the Diner on Fridays": Norms, Customs, Conventions, and the Like Chapter 6 Chapter 5. Can X Do Y Statements Explain? Chapter 7 Chapter 6. Final Thoughts: Statements About Groups and Stereotyping
