Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
P.F. Strawson, a prominent 20th-century philosopher, offered a significant challenge to traditional conceptions of the self, particularly those rooted in Cartesian dualism. He argued that the philosophical preoccupation with a ‘transcendental ego’ or a purely mental substance was misguided. Instead, Strawson proposed a more grounded understanding of personhood, rooted in our practical interactions and reactive attitudes. His seminal work, “Individuals and Psychology” (1959), lays out his framework for understanding the concept of a person, moving away from metaphysical speculation towards a descriptive account of how we understand and relate to others as persons. This essay will explore Strawson’s explanation of the concept of a person, focusing on the crucial roles of the ‘basic subject’ and reactive attitudes.
Strawson’s Critique of Traditional Accounts
Strawson begins by critiquing the traditional philosophical approach to the self, which often posits a ‘substance’ or ‘ego’ underlying our experiences. He argues that this approach is based on a category mistake – treating the self as a thing, rather than as a locus of experiences and actions. He rejects the idea of a purely private, inner realm accessible only to the individual, arguing that our concepts of mind and self are inherently social.
The Basic Subject and the Person
Strawson distinguishes between the ‘basic subject’ and the ‘person’. The basic subject is the minimal condition for having experiences – it is simply the entity that is experiencing. This is a pre-conceptual, pre-linguistic level. However, the person is a more complex concept, requiring certain capacities and being embedded within a social context. A person is a being to whom the following predicates can be meaningfully applied: has beliefs, desires, intentions, feelings, and is capable of rational action.
Reactive Attitudes and Interpersonal Relationships
Central to Strawson’s account are ‘reactive attitudes’ – our natural, human responses to the actions of others, such as gratitude, resentment, love, and hatred. These attitudes are not based on rational judgment about moral responsibility, but are rather spontaneous and deeply ingrained in our social interactions. He argues that these attitudes are essential for understanding personhood because they demonstrate our commitment to treating others as responsible agents.
The Role of Social Context
Strawson emphasizes that personhood is not an inherent property of an individual, but is rather conferred upon them by others within a social context. We recognize others as persons because we engage with them in ways that presuppose their capacity for reason, responsibility, and emotional response. This recognition is not based on discovering some hidden metaphysical truth about their inner nature, but on our practical interactions with them.
The ‘Two Standpoints’
Strawson introduces the idea of two ‘standpoints’ – the ‘objective standpoint’ and the ‘practical standpoint’. The objective standpoint involves treating individuals as objects of observation, potentially subject to causal explanation. The practical standpoint, however, involves engaging with individuals as persons, holding them responsible for their actions and responding to them with reactive attitudes. Strawson argues that the practical standpoint is fundamental to our understanding of personhood, and that the objective standpoint cannot fully capture the richness and complexity of human experience.
| Concept | Description |
|---|---|
| Basic Subject | Minimal condition for having experiences; pre-conceptual. |
| Person | Being capable of beliefs, desires, intentions, and rational action; embedded in social context. |
| Reactive Attitudes | Spontaneous emotional responses to others’ actions (gratitude, resentment, etc.). |
| Objective Standpoint | Treating individuals as objects of observation. |
| Practical Standpoint | Engaging with individuals as persons, holding them responsible. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, Strawson’s account of the person offers a compelling alternative to traditional philosophical approaches. By grounding personhood in our practical interactions and reactive attitudes, he provides a more realistic and nuanced understanding of how we understand and relate to others. His emphasis on the social context of personhood highlights the importance of recognizing individuals not as isolated substances, but as integral members of a community. Strawson’s work remains highly influential in contemporary philosophy of mind and ethics, prompting ongoing debate about the nature of self and personhood.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.