So I’m currently trying to get through this book that I found at Barnes and Noble: The Construction of Social Reality. It’s kinda too deep for me, and it makes me feel like I’m back at UCLA studying for my sociology classes, but I like it.
It’s been a while since I’ve been challenged on a different level by a book. Most of my reading for SJSU SLIS has been technical reading – learning how to do things not learning about how things work (especially in a sociological sense). I’m only about 10 pages in, but it’s already really good and has forced me to reread everything twice to make sure I understand everything.
Here’s an example:
With consciousness comes intentionality, the capacity of the mind to represent objects and states of affairs in the world other than itself.
-John Searle, The Construction of Social Reality
In this case, intentionality is not about cause/effect, but rather aboutness – so an object or thought has intentionality when can be about something or create something…I think? See? It’s confusing…and it’s only the tenth page!
I have a feeling I’ll be reading this book very, very, VERY slowly….