Dados is one of the most widely-read social sciences journals in Latin America. Created in 1966, it publishes innovative works, originating from academic research, by Brazilian and foreign authors. Edited by IESP-UERJ, it aims to reconcile scientific rigor and academic excellence with an emphasis on public debate based on the analysis of substantive issues of society and politics.
Dados vol. 35 n. 2 Rio de Janeiro 1992
Abstract
The article discusses some of the propositions and sociological implications behind two competing paradigms on the nature of reality: the correspondence theory of truth, which encompasses the common sense attitude and a considerable part of sociological theory, and language games theory, which encompasses ethnomethodology and analytical philosophy. According to correspondence theory, human sensations have an invariant content that defines the condition of truthfulness of what is affirmed about this content. The basic sociological implication of this perspective is that common understanding is taken as an agreement on substantive questions or theses. According to the language games paradigm, on the other hand, if people are able to agree that they mean the same things with their words, this is not because they see the same things in any absolute phenomenal way, but because their being engaged in a common activity predisposes them to seeing these things in the same way. The basic sociological implication of this perspective is that agreement on substantive themes (or the belief in literalness) is in itself a phenomenon to be explained, and what explains it is a set of operations that people undertake to show the rational suitability of their activities.
Jogos de Linguagem e Sentido Literal (Ou, O Que Foi Que Realmente Aconteceu?)
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