Brandom

10/22/2008
ReasonWeek 7 Notes
1. Recap:
2.
3.
4.
5.
Q: But how does Hegel understand the difference between the different kinds of
what I have been calling descriptions or specifications of the deed?
1) A1: !he distinction that action i"plies is# on the $avidsonian line being
pursued# a distinction between intentional and consequential characteri%ations of
one and the sa"e deed.
2) A2: The short ers!on o" the ans#er $ #!%% o""er here !s
"!rst& that it is a distinction of social perspective& 'et#een the a(ent& #ho
ackno#%ed(es a spec!"!ca%%) content"*% respons!'!%!t)& and an a*d!ence& #ho
attr!'*tes and assesses !t.
+econd& that d!""erence o" soc!a% perspect!e !s a normative one !n a d*a%
sense. What the) are perspect!e on !s a normat!e stat*s: a ,*est!on o" the
!mp*tat!on o" a spec!"!c responsibility. And the perspectives are defined b&
distinct seats of authority concerning the characteri%ation of what the
agent is responsible for.
Th!rd& the *%t!mate determ!nate identity -*n!t)) o" the content o" the act!on
#hat #e sho*%d *nderstand as common to !ts !nner -!n the .e(e%!an sense o"
!mp%!c!t& rather than the /artes!an sense o" ep!stem!ca%%) transparent) "orm and
the o*ter -!n the .e(e%!an sense o" e0p%!c!t& rather than the /artes!an sense o"
ep!stem!ca%%) opa,*e) "orm that trans%ates& act*a%!1es& and e0presses !t!s the
prod*ct o" a process o" rec!proca% spec!"!c recognition& !n #h!ch the
compet!n( comp%ementar) soc!a%%) d!st!nct a*thor!t!es ne(ot!ate and the!r
c%a!ms are ad2*d!cated and reconc!%ed.
3) The essent!a%%) soc!a% character o" that d!st!nct!on sho#s *p !" #e th!nk a'o*t #ho
!s !n a normat!e pos!t!onwho has the authorit&'to offer specifications of the two
sorts.
To sa) that the deed or #ork !s act*a% !s to sa) that !t !s p*'%!c& aa!%a'%e to a%%. The tr*th
o" the per"ormance& #hat !t !s !n !tse%"& !s e0pressed !n all o" the descr!pt!ons o" #hat !s
act*a%%) ach!eed& a%% the spec!"!cat!ons o" the content !n terms o" !ts conse,*ences.
These descr!pt!ons are aa!%a'%e !n pr!nc!p%e to an)one !n the comm*n!t) to reco(n!1e the
per"ormance *nder or to character!1e !ts content. 4The #ork !s& !.e. !t e0!sts "or other
!nd!!d*a%!t!es.5
1
6or others& #ho #!tness or hear a'o*t m) act!on -com!n( to kno#
a'o*t !t !n an) o" the ar!o*s #a)s #e come to kno# a'o*t act*a% occ*rrences)& #hat m)
deed !s can 'e sa!d o" !t.
2

1
Phenomenology 7809.
2
/". Phenomenology 7322.
2283:0;38.doc 1 9/18/2018
Brandom
Act*a%!1at!on !s<a d!sp%a) o" #hat !s one=s o#n !n the e%ement o"
*n!ersa%!t) #here') !t 'ecomes& and sho*%d 'ecome& the a""a!r o"
eer)one.
3

The conse,*ent!a% descr!pt!ons spec!") #hat the act!on !s "or others& and "or the a(ent
,*a other& that !s as reco(n!1!n( and assess!n( h!s o#n act!on !a h!s emp!r!ca%
consc!o*sness o" !t as an act*a%!t).
The #ork prod*ced !s the rea%!t) #h!ch consc!o*sness (!es !tse%"> !t !s that
!n #h!ch the !nd!!d*a% !s e0p%!c!t%) "or h!mse%" #hat he !s !mp%!c!t%) or !n
h!mse%"& and !n s*ch a manner that the consc!o*sness "or #h!ch the
!nd!!d*a% 'ecomes e0p%!c!t !n the #ork !s not the part!c*%ar& '*t the
*n!ersa%& consc!o*sness.
8

The *n!ersa% consc!o*sness !s that o" the comm*n!t)& as opposed to the !nd!!d*a% a(ent.
The other mem'ers o" the comm*n!t) can descr!'e #hat !t !s that $ hae done> the) can
spec!") #hat $ hae ach!eed or accomp%!shed. Accord!n(%)& the d!st!nct!on 'et#een #hat
$ !ntended and #hat $ accomp%!shed& 'et#een #hat the per"ormance !s "or me and #hat !t
!s !n !tse%"& takes the "orm o" the d!st!nct!on 'et#een #hat !t !s "or me and #hat !t !s "or
others.
8) The act*a%!t) aa!%a'%e to a%% !s the e0p%!c!t "orm o" the comm!tment the a(ent has
*ndertaken !n act!n(. B*t what makes the co""it"ent# and so the action# the agents
(the "o"ent of certaint&) is his acknowledg"ent of it as such. *nd for that the
specifications under which the agent endorses it have special authorit&& not shared ')
those #ho mere%) o'sere the res*%ts o" that endorsement. These are the spec!"!cat!ons
*nder #h!ch !t !s !ntent!ona%. We can %ook at th!s not!on !n terms o" !ts c!rc*mstances and
conse,*ences o" app%!cat!on. +hat in this distinctive wa& privileges the association of
so"e descriptions of the deed with the doer is that the& are the ones that appear as
conclusions of processes of practical reasoning endorsed b& the agent. 6or e0amp%e:
$t !s dark> $ need to see> T*rn!n( on the %!(ht #!%% ena'%e me to see> 6%!pp!n( the s#!tch
#!%% t*rn on the %!(ht> +o $ sha%% "%!p the s#!tch. The a(ent?s endorsement o" s*ch
pract!ca% reason!n( ma) hae 'een e0p%!c!t%) attached to !ts act*a% rehearsa% as part o" an
antecedent process o" de%!'erat!on %ead!n( *p to the per"ormance& or !t ma) 'e !mp%!c!t !n
a d!spos!t!on to trot !t o*t #hen cha%%en(ed to (!e reasons "or the per"ormance. The
conse,*ences o" app%!cat!on o" the concept descr!pt!on *nder #h!ch the per"ormance !s
!ntent!ona% are that these spec!") the content o" the comm!tment the a(ent takes h!mse%" to
'e ackno#%ed(!n( !n prod*c!n( the per"ormance. !he perfor"ance is intentional
under those descriptions the agent is prepared to acknowledge hi"self as
responsible for it under& apart "rom an) kno#%ed(e o" the descr!pt!ons that 'ecome
aa!%a'%e on%) #!th !ts 'e!n( act*a%!1ed& spec!"!ca%%)& descr!pt!ons o" !t !n terms o" !ts
conse,*ences. These are the descr!pt!ons *nder #h!ch the a(ent !s pet!t!on!n( the
comm*n!t) to 'e spec!"!ca%%) reco(n!1ed as respons!'%e "or the per"ormance.
5) ,ractical -uccess and .ailure in the /ulgar -ense: !he /orstand0*bsicht
$istinction
a) @re%!m!nar): .ro" events to plan1structured processes. Where theor!es o"
act!on o" the sort ep!tom!1ed ') Aa!dson?s "!nd the!r parad!(mat!c act!ons !n
3
Phenomenology 7 817.
8
Phenomenology 7809.
2283:0;38.doc 2 9/18/2018
Brandom
momentar)& p*nct!"orm eents s*ch as "%!pp!n( a s#!tch or %ett!n( (o o" a rope&
the parad!(ms o" the act!ons .e(e% addresses are to 'e "o*nd rather !n comp%e0&
e0tended processes s*ch as #r!t!n( a 'ook or proper%) '*r)!n( a s%a!n 'rother.
+*ch processes dee%op accord!n( to a d!st!nct!e k!nd o" !nterna% normat!e
str*ct*re. That !s #h) !n the passa(e ,*oted t#o para(raphs 'ack .e(e% re"ers to
4#e%%Bmeant designs5 and 4'estB%a!d plans5. $n a%% e0cept de(enerate%) s!mp%e
cases -!ndeed& een !n the case o" !ntend!n( to t*rn on the %!(hts or po*r #ater !n
the (%ass) one p%ans to rea%!1e one p*rpose by rea%!1!n( others that "*nct!on as
!nstr*ments or means to that end. -Cen #hen ta%k!n( a'o*t events rather than
actions& h!s parad!(ms are comp%e0 eents s*ch as the 6rench Reo%*t!on.
9
) And
those s*'B(oa%s ma) 'e s*'sered& !n the p%an ') "*rther s*'Bs*'B(oa%s. +o the
!ntent!on endorsed does not !n the (enera% case cons!st o" a s!n(%e descr!pt!on
*nder #h!ch the per"ormance !s to 'e !ntent!ona%& '*t someth!n( more %!ke a treeB
str*ct*re or "%o#Bchart !n #h!ch the per"ormanceBdescr!pt!on nodes are %!nked ')
!ntended meansBend connect!ons.
') Th!s tho*(ht !s the basis for Hegels distinction between purpose 2/orsat%3 (and
the closel& related end 24weck3)# on the one hand# and intention 2*bsicht3 on the
other.
An act!on as an e0terna% eent !s a comp%e0 o" connected parts #h!ch ma)
'e re(arded as d!!ded !nto *n!ts ad !n"!n!t*m& and the act!on ma) 'e
treated as ha!n( to*ched !n the "!rst !nstance on%) one o" these *n!ts. The
tr*th o" the s!n(%e& ho#eer& !s the *n!ersa%> and #hat e0p%!c!t%) (!es
act!on !ts spec!"!c character !s not an !so%ated content %!m!ted to an e0terna%
*n!t& '*t a *n!ersa% content& compr!s!n( !n !tse%" the comp%e0 o" connected
parts. @*rpose& as !ss*!n( "rom a th!nker& compr!ses more than the mere
*n!t> essent!a%%) !t compr!ses that *n!ersa% s!de o" the act!on& !.e. the
intention.
:
The 4comp%e0 o" connected parts5 !s str*ct*red as a plan& art!c*%ated ') an !nstr*menta%
D')? re%at!on. Cen !n the er) s!mp%est sort o" e0amp%e& one !ntends to ach!ee the
p*rpose o" t*rn!n( on the %!(hts by "%!pp!n( the s#!tch& and !ntends to "%!p the s#!tch by
mo!n( one?s "!n(er. 4The act!on ma) 'e treated as ha!n( to*ched !n the "!rst !nstance
on%) one o" these *n!ts5 !n that the rest are conse,*ent!a% descr!pt!ons o" the act!on that !s
!ntent!ona% *nder th!s !n!t!a% descr!pt!on. $" th!n(s (o #ron(& cont!n(enc!es !nterene
-one?s "!n(er m!sses the s#!tch& the s#!tch !s 'roken<)& then those conse,*ent!a%
descr!pt!ons ma) not& as p%anned& 'e tr*e o" the do!n( that !s !ntent!ona% *nder the
spec!"!cat!on 4mo!n( one?s "!n(er.5
What .e(e% ca%%s the D!ntent!on? assoc!ated #!th an act!on encompasses the p%an that
prospect!e%) %!nks #hat !s immediately done -the *n!t the act!on ma) 'e treated as ha!n(
!n the "!rst !nstance to*ched) #!th the p*rpose a!med at. $t !s a D*n!ersa%? !n that !t
compr!ses a%% o" the D*n!ts? EC!n1e%he!tenF !nto #h!ch the process can 'e d!!ded. The
content o" the act!on !s not to 'e !dent!"!ed so%e%) e!ther #!th the !n!t!a% !mmed!ate means
9
6or one e0amp%e p*t "or#ard !n the conte0t o" e%a'orat!n( h!s theor) o" act!on& see Philosophy of Right
7119G.
:
Philosophy of Right 711;.
2283:0;38.doc 3 9/18/2018
Brandom
adopted& nor #!th the p*rpose #hose rea%!1at!on !s eent*a%%) a!med at& '*t #!th the p%anB
str*ct*red !ntent!on o" #h!ch the) are e%ements.
The *n!ersa% ,*a%!t) o" the act!on !s the man!"o%d content o" the act!on as
s*ch& red*ced to the s!mp%e "orm o" *n!ersa%!t). B*t the s*'2ect& an ent!t)
re"%ected !nto h!mse%" and so part!c*%ar !n corre%at!on #!th the part!c*%ar!t)
o" h!s o'2ect& has !n h!s end h!s o#n part!c*%ar content& and th!s content !s
the so*% o" the act!on and determ!nes !ts character.
7
The part!c*%ar& s*'2ect!e content o" the act!on -#hat one dec!ded to do) !s the content o"
the Horsat1& #h!%e the *n!ersa%& man!"o%d -art!c*%ated) content o" the act!on as p%anned !s
the A's!cht -#h!ch !nc%*des ho# one dec!ded to do !t). What !s !ntended !s the #ho%e
str*ct*re -the *n!ersa%)& not 2*st the end or p*rpose a!med at& nor -at the other end o" the
p%anned process) the !mmed!ate !n!t!a% means adopted:
Act*a%!t) !s to*ched !n the "!rst !nstance on%) at one !nd!!d*a% po!nt -2*st
as !n arson the "%ame !s app%!ed d!rect%) on%) to a sma%% port!on o" the
#ood<
8
EWFhat the arson!st sets on "!re !s not the !so%ated area o" #ood an !nch
#!de to #h!ch he app%!es the "%ame& '*t the *n!ersa% #!th!n !t!.e. the
ent!re ho*se<
;

c) Th!s /orsat%0*bsicht distinction gives Hegel a theoretical wa& of
sa&ing what vulgar success and failure of actions consists in. An act!on
s*cceeds !n th!s sense !" the conse,*ent!a% descr!pt!ons that are tr*e o" !t !nc%*de
the p*rpose #hose ach!eement !s the endorsed end !n the ser!ce o" #h!ch a%% the
other e%ements o" the !ntent!onBp%an "*nct!on as means. An act!on "a!%s !n th!s
sense !"& a%tho*(h some th!n(s are done !ntent!ona%%)& !.e. as part o" the p%an& the
p*rpose !s not ach!eed& 'eca*se the means adopted do not hae the conse,*ences
en!sa(ed.
5) Identit& of 6ontent of $eed and Intention
a) $t rema!ns& then& to ask !n #hat sense !t !s that een failed act!ons sho*%d 'e
*nderstood to e0h!'!t the necessar) unity that act!on !no%es. We #ere to%d that een !n
s*ch cases there !s an identity of content 'et#een !ntent!on and ach!eement. $n #hat
sense does s*ch a "a!%*re to rea%!1e the !ntended p*rpose 4s!mp%) trans%ate an !n!t!a%%)
!mp%!c!t 'e!n( !nto a 'e!n( that !s made e0p%!c!t<.5
10
? $n #hat sense can #e sa) o" !t that
!t
a%ters noth!n( and opposes noth!n(. $t !s the p*re "orm o" a trans!t!on "rom
a state o" not 'e!n( seen to one o" 'e!n( seen& and the content #h!ch !s
'ro*(ht o*t !nto the da)%!(ht and d!sp%a)ed !s noth!n( e%se '*t #hat th!s
act!on a%read) !s !n !tse%". $t !s !mp%!c!t: th!s !s !ts "orm as a *n!t) !n
tho*(ht> and !t !s act*a%th!s !s !ts "orm as an e0!stent *n!t). Act!on !tse%"
!s a content on%) #hen& !n th!s determ!nat!on o" s!mp%!c!t)& !t !s contrasted
#!th !ts character as a trans!t!on and moement.
11
?
7
Philosophy of Right 7121.
8
Philosophy of Right 711;G.
;
Philosophy of Right 7132G.
10
Phenomenology 7801.
11
Phenomenology 73;:.
2283:0;38.doc 8 9/18/2018
Brandom
The Tat/.and%*n( d!st!nct!on a%read) enta!%s that 4act!ons& !n the!r e0terna% e0!stence&
!nc%*de cont!n(ent conse,*ences.5
12
B*t .e(e% !s c%a!m!n( someth!n( m*ch stron(er.
The cont!n(enc!es to #h!ch the process o" tr)!n( to rea%!1!n( a p*rpose !s s*'2ect are
someho# to 'e *nderstood as "eat*res o" the content that are retrospect!e%) d!scerna'%e
as a%#a)s a%read) ha!n( 'een !mp%!c!t !n the !ntent!on. That !s #h)& "or !nstance&
4/onsc!o*sness m*st act mere%) !n order that #hat !t !s !n !tse%" ma) 'ecome e0p%!c!t "or
!t...EAFn !nd!!d*a% cannot kno# #hat he !s *nt!% he has made h!mse%" a rea%!t) thro*(h
act!on.5
13
And& as #e hae seen& .e(e% e0p%!c!t%) te%%s *s that "a!%ed act!ons are not to 'e
cons!dered e0cept!ons to the concept*a% tr*th that !n act!on one and the same content
appears !n t#o "orms& once as !ntent!on and once as act*a%!t). .ere !s a passa(e "rom the
part o" the Rechtsphilosophie that presents the Tat/.and%*n( and Horsat1/A's!cht
d!st!nct!ons #e hae 'een cons!der!n(:
$t !s certa!n%) the case that a (reater or %esser n*m'er o" c!rc*mstances
ma) !nterene !n the co*rse o" an act!on. $n a case o" arson& "or e0amp%e&
the "!re ma) not take ho%d& or conerse%)& !t ma) spread "*rther than the
c*%pr!t !ntended. Neerthe%ess& no d!st!nct!on sho*%d 'e made here
'et#een (ood and !%% "ort*ne& "or !n the!r act!ons& h*man 'e!n(s are
necessar!%) !no%ed !n e0terna%!t). An o%d proer' r!(ht%) sa)s& 4The
stone 'e%on(s to the de!% #hen !t %eaes the hand that thre# !t.5 B)
act!n(& $ e0pose m)se%" to m!s"ort*ne& #h!ch accord!n(%) has a r!(ht oer
me and !s an e0!stence o" m) o#n o%!t!on.
18

7) Th!s !s #hat .e(e% ta%ks a'o*t as 4the c&cle EIre!sF of action5 !n #h!ch
!nd!!d*a%!t) 4e0h!'!ts !tse%" s!mp%) and so%e%) as the *n!t) o" the #or%d as given and the
#or%d !t has made5
19
.
8) We #!%% see here a s)nthes!s o" the "!rst three sect!ons o" the 'ook -Consciousness&
Self-Consciousness& and Reason). At !ts center !s the !dea o" a c)c%e o" percept!on&
tho*(ht& and act!on& #h!ch !s at once the act*a%!1at!on o" an !nd!!d*a% se%"Bconsc!o*sness
and the process ') #h!ch concept*a% contents are determ!ned -"rom the prospect!e po!nt
o" !e#& made more determ!nate& and "rom the retrospect!e po!nt o" !e# made more
e0p%!c!t thro*(h the process o" e0press!n( #hat #as a%% a%on( !mp%!c!t ') act*a%!1!n( that
potent!a%).
;) 7ote that what is at issue here is two for"s of one content. -$mp%!c!t and
e0p%!c!t& !ntent!ona% and conse,*ent!a%& de dicto and de re.) 2*ction itself is a content
onl& when# in this deter"ination of si"plicit&# it is contrasted with its character as a
transition and "ove"ent. E73;:F F8nderstanding that notion of content re9uires
understanding it as essentially capable of taking both for"s# and# indeed# as
intelligible in principle onl& in virtue of the process of transition fro" the one for"
to the other. Th!s expressive process !s the c)c%e o" percept!onBtho*(htBandBact!on:
Act!on a%ters noth!n( and opposes noth!n(. $t !s the p*re "orm o" a trans!t!on
"rom a state o" not 'e!n( seen to one o" 'e!n( seen& and the content #h!ch !s
'ro*(ht o*t !nto the da)%!(ht and d!sp%a)ed !s noth!n( e%se '*t #hat th!s act!on
12
Philosophy of Right 7120G.
13
Phenomenology 7801.
18
Philosophy of Right 711;..
19
Phenomenology 7308.
2283:0;38.doc 9 9/18/2018
Brandom
a%read) !s !n !tse%".E E73;:F 4Act!on s!mp%) trans%ates an !n!t!a%%) !mp%!c!t
'e!n( !nto a 'e!n( that !s made e0p%!c!t<.5 E7801F. +ee a%so Philosophy of
Right 710;& #here 4the #!%% !s the str*((%e to transcend th!s 'arr!er
E+chrankeF& !.e. !t !s the act!!t) o" translating th!s content !n some #a) or
other "rom s*'2ect!!t) !nto o'2ect!!t). The s!mp%e !dent!t) o" the #!%% #!th
!tse%" !n th!s oppos!t!on !s the content #h!ch rema!ns se%"B!dent!ca% !n 'oth
these oppos!tes and !nd!""erent to th!s "orma% d!st!nct!on o" oppos!t!on.5
10) 6a!%*re:A(enc) :: Crror:Ino#%ed(e. These are the t#o aspects o" experience&
'oth essent!a% to the c)c%e o" percept!on& tho*(ht& and act!on.
11)
12) t
/II. .urther -tructure of the :;pressive ,rocess b& which the Intention $evelops
Into the $eed
The intention that& as a norm& (oerns the process o" ach!e!n( an end can 'e tho*(ht o"
as a universal content d!scern!'%e !n a%% phases o" that process& "rom !mp%!c!t !n!t!a%
s*'2ect!e endors!n( o" the end to !ts e0p%!c!t o'2ect!e ach!eement. Jne #a) !n #h!ch
s*ch an !ntent!on can dee%op so as to c*%m!nate !n the s*ccess"*% act*a%!1at!on o" !ts
p*rpose !s as the (rad*a%& se,*ent!a% rea%!1at!on o" a tree1structured plan.
$t has the d)nam!c str*ct*re o" a TestBJperateBTestBC0!t -TJTC) %oop. Th!s !s the "orm
o" processes ') #h!ch necess!t) !s !ncorporated !nto cont!n(ent act*a%!t)& that !s& an
endorsed end !s act*a%!1ed -4the #or%d !t has made5). $t !s a%so thro*(h processes #!th
th!s str*ct*re that contingenc& is incorporated in necessit&& !n that the norm -p%an)
(oern!n( the process chan(es !n response to act*a% c!rc*mstances and ach!eements
-4the #or%d as given5). $" #e compare the p%ans operat!e at d!""erent t!mes d*r!n( s*ch a
process& the) are %!a'%e to 'e d!""erent. Th!s !s the 4character o" act!on as a trans!t!on and
a moement.5
1:
The certaint& o" the !ntent!on!ts s*'2ect!e s!de& that a'o*t #h!ch the a(ent !s
a*thor!tat!e& that !n !rt*e o" #h!ch #hat !s done !s ackno#%ed(ed as the a(ent?s own!s
the endorsed end or p*rpose. B*t 4the truth o" !ntent!on Ethe o'2ect!e s!de& a'o*t #h!ch
others are e,*a%%) a*thor!tat!eF !s on%) the act !tse%".5
17

!he deed is not& e0cept !n the most de(enerate cases& a punctifor"# "o"entar& event
s*ch as a m*sc%e t#!tch. -And th!s !s not 'eca*se !ts conse,*ent!a% descr!pt!ons *n"o%d
!nto an !nde"!n!te "*t*re> that m*ch !s so een o" ach!eements that are a%% there at a s!n(%e
t!me.) +riting a book# teaching a student# building a house# putting on a dinner
part&<& these 'etter& more representat!e& e0amp%es o" act!ons are a%% processes #!th a
r!ch tempora%!ndeed& more spec!"!ca%%) h!stor!ca%str*ct*re. $t !s the TJTC str*ct*re
o" a cycle o" act!on !n #h!ch the p%an !n "orce at an) (!en t!me -endorsed as the c*rrent
e0press!on o" a pract!ca% comm!tment) changes "rom sta(e to sta(e. At each t!meBs%!ce !n
1:
Phenomenology 73;:.
17
Phenomenology719;.
2283:0;38.doc : 9/18/2018
Brandom
the eo%*t!on o" the act!on& the thenBoperat!e p%an stands to the p*rpose as the concrete&
#orkedBo*t& cont!n(enc)B!ncorporat!n(& determ!nate%) content"*% pract!ca% norm "or
act*a%!1!n( that a'stract%) en!sa(ed end. !he content of the intention should then be
understood as standing to the whole process# in relation to the guiding purpose# as
the plan adopted at an& one stage is to that ti"e1slice of the process# in relation to
that sa"e purpose. $t !s the concrete& #orkedBo*t& cont!n(enc)B!ncorporat!n(&
determ!nate%) content"*% pract!ca% norm "or act*a%!1!n( that a'stract%) en!sa(ed end&
re(arded as someth!n( #hose content does not chan(e as !ts !nstant!at!on !n the "orm o"
p%ans does chan(e.
Not!ce that each o" these p*rposes and p%anssome s*'ord!nate to or nested !n others&
some adopted at d!""erent t!mes d*r!n( the process o" rea%!1!n( otherspro!des a
conte0t #!th!n #h!ch #e can assess the functional s*ccess or "a!%*re o" a the pro2ect o"
ach!e!n( a s*'B(oa%.
.e(e% sa)s that& !n contrast to the p*rpose or end& the 4part!c*%ar aspect #h!ch (!es the
act!on !ts s*'2ect!e a%*e and !nterest "or me&5 #hen the %oca%& part!c*%ar p*rpose !s p*t
!nto a %ar(er conte0t:
the !mmed!ate character o" an act!on !n !ts "*rther content !s red*ced to a
means. $n so "ar as s*ch an end !s a "!n!te one& !t ma) !n t*rn 'e red*ced to
a means to some "*rther !ntent!on& and so on !n an !n"!n!te pro(ress!on.
18
Cach %ar(er& or ne#%) adopted (oa% pro!des a ne# conte0t #!th respect to #h!ch the
!nstr*menta% contr!'*t!on& and so the "*nct!ona% s*ccess or "a!%*re& o" each pr!or
ach!eement can 'e assessed. These assessments are essent!a%%) retrospect!e& as !ndeed
are assessments o" ord!nar) s*ccess or "a!%*re at ach!e!n( the most %oca% p*rpose. B*t
'eca*se there !s no end !n pr!nc!p%e to the pro(ress!on to %ar(er or %ater p*rposes& !t !s
neer too %ate "or a ne# conte0t to ar!se #!th!n #h!ch a pre!o*s%) "a!%ed -!n the *%(ar or
the "*nct!ona%B!nstr*menta% sense) pro2ect can co*nt as s*ccess"*%%) contr!'*t!n( to the
rea%!1at!on o" a p%an.
!he process of carr&ing through an intention is a process of self determination or
self1constitution: "aking oneself into a ("ore) deter"inatel& contentful self b&
identif&ing with so"e co""it"ents and re<ecting others. That !s #h) 4#hat the
s*'2ect is& is the series of its actions&5
1;
4!nd!!d*a%!t) !s the c)c%e o" !ts act!on&5
20
and 4an
!nd!!d*a% cannot kno# #hat he !s *nt!% he has made h!mse%" a rea%!t) thro*(h act!on.5
21

!he ver& sa"e process that is the e;ercise of intentional agenc& is at the sa"e ti"e
the e;pression of self1conscious individualit&. =2!3he essential nature of the work...
is to be a self1e;pression of... individualit&.5
22
C0press!on !s a process !n #h!ch #hat !s !mp%!c!t !s made e0p%!c!t. 4The #ork prod*ced
!s the rea%!t) #h!ch consc!o*sness (!es !tse%"> !t !s that !n #h!ch the !nd!!d*a% !s
18
Philosophy of Right 7122.
1;
Philosophy of Right 7128.
20
Phenomenology 7308.
21
Phenomenology 7801.
22
Phenomenology 7803.
2283:0;38.doc 7 9/18/2018
Brandom
e0p%!c!t%) "or h!mse%" #hat he !s !mp%!c!t%) or !n h!mse%"<.5
23
+hat is i"plicit is a
deter"inatel& contentful practical co""it"ent. Its e;plicit for" is the actual deed.
The passa(e cont!n*es: 4and !n s*ch a manner that the consc!o*sness "or #h!ch the
!nd!!d*a% 'ecomes e0p%!c!t !n the #ork !s not the part!c*%ar& '*t the *n!ersa%&
consc!o*sness....5 6or a%tho*(h #hat makes the deed the a(ent?s own& an e0press!on o"
#hat that a(ent !mp%!c!t%) !s -comm!tted to)& !s someth!n( oer #h!ch the a(ent has
a*thor!t)!a h!s ackno#%ed(ement or endorsement o" a p*rpose and the sacr!"!ces and
!dent!"!cat!ons he makes !n the co*rse o" act*a%!1!n( !t ') #ork!n( o*t an !ntent!onthe
deed thereb& done is public and available to an&one.
Jnce a(enc) !s *nderstood as necessar!%) 'e!n( the e0press!on o" se%"Bconsc!o*s
!nd!!d*a%!t)& that the !nd!!d*a% se%"Bconsc!o*sness e0press !tse%" ') #ork!n( to "*%"!%% !ts
pract!ca% comm!tments can !tse%" 'e tho*(ht o" as a k!nd o" oerarch!n( end or p*rpose& to
#h!ch one !s !mp%!c!t%) comm!tted s!mp%) ') e0erc!s!n( !ntent!ona% a(enc).
The act!!t) o" !nd!!d*a%!t)& a%% that !t does& !s !n !ts o#n se%" an Cnd<the
present& rea% e0!stence o" the process o" !nd!!d*a%!t).
28

$nd!!d*a%!t) !n !ts sett!n(B"orth or e0press!on !s& !n re%at!on to act!on& the
Cnd !n and "or !tse%".
29
The !mportant po!nt !s that !" #e th!nk o" this as an oerarch!n( a!m& to #h!ch #hateer
one does !s !nstr*menta%%) s*'ord!nate& then !t has the d!st!nct!e "eat*re that !n rea%!1!n(
this (oa% the a(ent 4enco*nters no res!stance "rom the act*a% #or%d.5 6or "rom th!s po!nt
o" !e#& se%" consc!o*sness !s
rea%!t) !n the "orm o" an !nd!!d*a%!t) that d!rect%) e0presses !tse%"& an
!nd!!d*a%!t) #h!ch no %on(er enco*nters res!stance "rom an act*a% #or%d&
and #hose a!m and o'2ect are on%) th!s e0press!n( o" !tse%".
2:
6or expressing self-conscious individuality is not so"ething one can tr& to do and fail.
$t !s part o" the concept o" a(enc) that whatever one does is the e0p%!c!t e0press!on o"
#hat the !nd!!d*a% a(ent !mp%!c!t%) !s. 6rom the po!nt o" !e# o" Herstand?s "oc*s on the
*%(ar& finite concept!on o" s*ccess and "a!%*re& act*a%!t) sho#s *p !n the "orm o"
st*''orn reca%c!trance: opac!t) to kno#%ed(e o" cont!n(ent conse,*ences and res!stance
to the rea%!1at!on o" determ!nate p*rposes. The d!st!nct!on that act!on !no%es !s to the
"ore. B) contrast& "rom the perspect!e a""orded ') treat!n( the e0press!on o" !nd!!d*a%
se%"Bconsc!o*sness !n !ts #ork and deeds as a p*rpose #!th respect to #h!ch the
!nstr*menta% contr!'*t!on o" determ!nate p*rposes can 'e assessed& actualit& shows up as
a transparent medium of self1e;pression.
The e%ement !n #h!ch !nd!!d*a%!t) sets "orth !ts shape has the s!(n!"!cance
so%e%) o" p*tt!n( on the shape o" !nd!!d*a%!t)> !t !s the da)%!(ht !n #h!ch
consc!o*sness #ants to d!sp%a) !tse%".
27
6rom th!s po!nt o" !e#& then& o'2ect!e act*a%!t) 2*st !s the med!*m o" se%"Be0press!on.
$n pract!ca% a(enc)& e0press!on !s act*a%!1at!on. What one !s !mp%!c!t%) for onese%"
23
Phenomenology 7809.
28
Phenomenology 73;3.
29
Phenomenology 73;8. +ee a%so 781;& #h!ch ta%ks a'o*t the 4pos!t!e mean!n(5 o" 4the or!(!na%%)
determ!nate nat*re o" the !nd!!d*a%5 as 4'e!n( !n !tse%" the e%ement and p*rpose o" !ts act!!t).5
2:
Phenomenology 739;.
27
Phenomenology 73;:.
2283:0;38.doc 8 9/18/2018
Brandom
'ecomes e0p%!c!t as someth!n( act*a%& someth!n( #!th a nat*re in !tse%"& aa!%a'%e !n that
"orm for others& as #e%% as "or onese%" !n th!s ne# "orm.
explicitly expressing in the medium of actuality what an individual self-consciousness
implicitly is !s not 2*st one more determ!nate p*rpose& #h!ch an a(ent m!(ht or m!(ht not
endorse& at the same %ee% as writing a phenomenology of Spirit& building a house& or
putting on a dinner party. $t !s c%ear%) a secondBorder phenomenon& !n th!s #a) %!ke the
Dp*rpose? o" accomp%!sh!n( one?s p*rposes. That one& too& !s one that an) !ntent!ona%
a(ent co*%d 'e sa!d !mp%!c!t%) to endorse& tho*(h *n%!ke se%"Be0press!on& !t !s not one that
!s (*aranteed to 'e sat!s"!ed. Both are rea%%) wa&s of talking about the structure of
agenc& as such& rather than someth!n( pec*%!ar to an) part!c*%ar e0erc!se o" !t.
$ntent!ona% a(enc) as the e0p%!c!t e0press!on !n the med!*m o" act*a%!t) o"
!mp%!c!t%) ackno#%ed(ed comm!tments !s to (!e *s a "odel for understanding
the sort of process b& which universalit& and particularit& give rise to
individualit&. 6or !n pract!ca% a(enc)
!nd!!d*a%!t) !s prec!se%) the act*a%!1!n( o" #hat e0!sts on%) !n pr!nc!p%e<
!t !s !n "act rea%%) the coners!on o" the (ood& as a mere Cnd& !nto an act*a%
e0!stence> the moement o" !nd!!d*a%!t) !s the rea%!t) o" the *n!ersa%.
28
An a'stract& !dea%& mere%) (enera%%) descr!'a'%e end or p*rposea universal!n
the conte0t o" particular& cont!n(ent& act*a% c!rc*mstances& de"!nes a determ!nate
demonstrat!e%) spec!"!a'%e deed& per"ormance& or ach!eement& #h!ch e0h!'!ts an
individual content: part!c*%ar!t) as character!1ed ') *n!ersa%!t). The process that
%!nks the s*'2ect!e "orm o" that content on the s!de o" certa!nt)& the !nd!!d*a%
!ntent!on& and !ts o'2ect!e "orm on the s!de o" tr*th& the !nd!!d*a% deed& !s the
se%"Bdee%opment& se%"Be0press!on& and se%"Bact*a%!1at!on o" the !nd!!d*a% se%"B
consc!o*sness. !he universal (purpose) that governs this process as a nor" is
the i"plicit necessity that beco"es e;plicit b& incorporating into itself the
contingency of setting# available "eans# powers# and so on.
/III. Hegelian vs. .regean 8nderstandings of -ense and >eference
Accord!n( to the c%a!m $ hae 'een ca%%!n( =conceptual idealis"?# the second1order
relations between what things ob<ectivel& are in the"selves and the e;periential
processes in which the& show up as so"ething for consciousness are to be
understood in the first instance in ter"s of those sub<ect1constitutive e"pirical1
practical processes: Cr"ahr*n(& no# *nderstood as the c)c%e o" act!onBandBco(n!t!on.
Th!s thes!s !s the assert!on o" an asymmetric e0p%anator) pr!or!t) o" s*'2ect!e processes
oer o'2ect!e re%at!ons& do#nstream "rom -added to& '*!%t on top o") the symmetric
rec!proca% senseBdependence re%at!ons d!sc*ssed *nder the head!n( o" 4o'2ect!e
!dea%!sm5. !he relations between what things are for consciousness and what the&
are in the"selves are the relations between phenomena and noumena# appearance
and reality# as Hegel construes the".
28
Phenomenology 73;1.
2283:0;38.doc ; 9/18/2018
Brandom
A s*!ta'%e mapp!n( o" .e(e%?s semant!c oca'*%ar) onto a more contemporar) neoB
6re(ean one #!%% ena'%e *s to see .e(e% as o""er!n( a noe%& !nterest!n(& and potent!a%%)
a%*a'%e acco*nt o" the re%at!ons 'et#een the concepts sense and re"erence.
6or 6re(e& #ords express senses& #h!ch !s #hat #e !n the "!rst !nstance understand. The
senses o" dec%arat!e sentences are tho*(hts: th!n(s that can 'e assessed as tr*e or "a%se.
B) e0press!n( a sense& #ords represent re"erents: the th!n(s one !s there') ta%k!n( or
th!nk!n( about.
.e(e% presents h!s acco*nt o" the re%at!ons 'et#een phenomena and no*mena& th!n(s as
the) are "or consc!o*sness and th!n(s as the) are !n themse%es& appearance and rea%!t)&
s*'2ect!!t) and o'2ect!!t) !n the "orm o" a phenomenology. That !s to sa) that #e start
#!th the #a)s those re%at!ons appear to *s& #!th the ar!o*s ph!%osoph!ca% and %o(!ca%
!d!oms #e hae act*a%%) *sed !n o*r attempts to *nderstand those re%at!ons. And the
eventuall& ade9uate understanding of the reality'how things really stand between
how things are for consciousness and how the& are in the"selves -a !e# that
compr!ses at %east the nested or %a)ered doctr!nes o" concept*a% rea%!sm& o'2ect!e
!dea%!sm& and concept*a% !dea%!sm)is to e"erge fro" consideration of dynamic
features of the e;pressive development of those appearances.
h!s acco*nt o" concept app%!cat!on !n 2*d(ment and act!on !s phenomenalist& !n !rt*e o"
the e0p%anator) as)mmetr) !t accords to the t#o "*ndamenta% semant!c d!mens!ons. +e
are to start with pheno"ena# with how things are for consciousness# with how the&
seem or appear# with the contents we grasp and e;press. !he idea that there is so"e
wa& things really are# in the"selves# the concept of what is represented# what we are
thinking and talking about b& grasping and e;pressing those contents# is to be
understood in ter"s of features of those contents the"selves. The representat!ona%
d!mens!on o" concept *se !s to 'e e0p%a!ned !n terms o" #hat !t !s to take or treat
concept*a% contents as represent!n(s& #hat !t !s "or them to 'e represent!n(s for or to *s.
Re"erence !s to 'e e0p%a!ned as an aspect o" sense. The #a) !n #h!ch the ver& idea of
nou"ena is to be e;plicated and elaborated fro" features of the historical tra<ector&
b& which pheno"ena (conceptual contents) develop and are deter"ined !s the
essence o" .e(e%?s d!st!nct!e ers!on o" the semant!cs o" sense and re"erence.
.e(e%?s *nderstand!n( o" #hat corresponds to the 6re(ean not!on o" sense !s !n cr*c!a%
#a)s ,*!te d!""erent "rom 6re(e?s.
a) To 'e(!n #!th& .e(e% !s a holist a'o*t the concept*a% contents #e (rasp !n tho*(ht
and e0press !n speech and act!on.
') Another s!(n!"!cant d!""erence !s that 6re(e d!sc*sses senses e0c%*s!e%) !n the
conte0t o" theoretical or cognitive act!!t): parad!(mat!ca%%)& 2*d(!n(. .o#eer&
as #e hae seen !n th!s chapter& .e(e% !s at %east e,*a%%) !nterested !n the re%at!ons
'et#een ho# th!n(s are for consc!o*sness and ho# the) are in themse%es that are
!nst!t*ted ') practical act!!t).
c) Another a0!a% d!er(ence 'et#een 6re(ean and .e(e%!an constr*a%s o" sense and
re"erence concerns the!r cate(orea% hetero(ene!t) or homo(ene!t). 6or 6re(e&
senses and re"erents are d!""erent kinds o" th!n(s. 6or .e(e%& tho*(h& the #a)
2283:0;38.doc 10 9/18/2018
Brandom
th!n(s are for consc!o*sness can 'e 2*st the same as the #a) the) are in
themse%es. No*mena are a k!nd o" phenomena. The) are cate(orea%%)
homo(eneo*s: the same k!nd o" th!n(. 6re(e takes a step !n the d!rect!on o"
cate(orea% homo(ene!t) o" tho*(ht and #or%d #hen he de"!nes D"act? as 4a tho*(ht
that !s tr*e&5
2;
a "orm*%at!on .e(e% co*%d endorse. B*t 6re(e does not (o on& as
.e(e% does -a%'e!t on%) as a sta(e on the #a) to a constr*a% o" the #or%d as ha!n(
the ho%!st!c str*ct*re o" the !n"!n!te /oncept)& to !dent!") the #or%d represented
and re"erred to !n tho*(ht as a #or%d o" facts. 6or .e(e%& the #a) the #or%d rea%%)
!s can 'e sa!d -and tho*(ht) o" !t. The #or%d as !t !s !n !tse%" !s th!nka'%e -tho*(h
not& o" co*rse& a th!nk!n().
d) Another s!(n!"!cant po!nt o" d!""erence 'et#een .e(e%?s and 6re(e?s ers!ons o"
the sense/re"erence d!st!nct!on concerns the determinateness o" senses. 6re(ean
senses are re,*!red to determ!ne c%asses o" re"erents #hose 'o*ndar!es are sharp&
fixed& and complete. To sa) the) are sharp !s to sa) that !t !s !mposs!'%e "or an)
poss!'%e o'2ect to "a%% partially !n the c%ass determ!ned ') the sense& or 'oth to "a%%
!n !t and to "a%% o*ts!de !t -noncontrad!ct!on). To sa) that the re"erents are fixed !s
to sa) that the 'o*ndar!es o" the c%ass o" re"erents determ!ned ') the sense do not
chan(e. -Wh!ch sense a (!en s!(n e0presses ma) chan(e& !" the *se o" the s!(n
chan(es& '*t the senses themse%es do not chan(e.) To sa) that the 'o*ndar!es o"
the c%ass o" re"erents !s complete !s to sa) that the sense determ!nes a partition o"
the poss!'%e cand!dates: every part!c*%ar !s c%ass!"!ed ') the sense e!ther as "a%%!n(
*nder the concept !t determ!nes& or as not "a%%!n( *nder !t -e0c%*ded m!dd%e). Th!s
!s 6re(ean determ!nateness& or determ!nateness !n the 6re(ean sense.
At the er) center o" the metatheoret!ca% parad!(m sh!"t .e(e% !s recommend!n(& "rom
*nderstand!n( concept *se ') means o" the cate(or!es o" Verstand to *nderstand!n( !t ')
means o" the cate(or!es o" Vernunft& !s the ne# concept!on o" concept*a% determ!nateness
that he cra"ts to rep%ace the Cn%!(htenment one that Iant !mp%!c!t%) appea%s to and 6re(e
makes e0p%!c!t. @ust as truth as Hegel understands it is not a state but a process
(indeed# =a vast# Bacchanalian revel?)# so# too# is deter"inateness. (Indeed# as we
will see# the& are the same process.)
IA. >etrospective and ,rospective ,erspectives on the $evelop"ent of 6onceptual
6ontents
What !s one ta%k!n( or th!nk!n( a'o*t #hen one ta%ks or th!nks a'o*t #hat one !s ta%k!n(
or th!nk!n( a'o*t? Kess dark%) p*t& #hat e0p%anator) "*nct!on m*st some concept!on
per"orm !n order there') to co*nt as a concept!on o" #hat one !s ta%k!n( or th!nk!n(
about& #hat !s represented & #hat one !s referring to ? The ans#er .e(e% takes oer "rom
Iant !s that !t !s a normative "*nct!on. The o'2ects o" tho*(ht are normat!e "or tho*(ht
!n the sense that the) pro!de a standard "or assessments o" the correctness o" 2*d(ments
and deeds& d!st!n(*!sh!n( tr*th "rom error and s*ccess "rom "a!%*re.
2;
Ere".F to 4The Tho*(ht5.
2283:0;38.doc 11 9/18/2018
Brandom
.e(e% then (!es the ,*est!on a "*rther& pra(mat!st& t*rn& ') ask!n(: #hat m*st one do !n
order there') to 'e tak!n( !t that one?s co(n!t!e and pract!ca% comm!tments ans#er to
s*ch a standard?
.e(e%?s phenomena%!st ans#er !s that !t can 'e *nderstood ent!re%) !n terms o" #hat one !s
do!n( !n tak!n( them to hae concept*a% contents at a%%: name%)& tak!n( them to stand to
one another !n re%at!ons o" mater!a% !ncompat!'!%!t) and conse,*ence. That !s tak!n( !t
that comm!tments to some contents preclude or exclude comm!tments to some others&
and include comm!tments to st!%% others. Ao!n( that& #e hae seen& !s pract!ca%%) tak!n( !t
that ackno#%ed(!n( one comm!tment o'%!(es one to do ar!o*s "*rther th!n(s: to change
one?s comm!tments #hen one "!nds onese%" #!th !ncompat!'%e ones& and to ackno#%ed(e
comm!tment to conse,*ent!a% ones. The cash a%*e o" tak!n( !t that there !s a standard
d!st!n(*!sh!n( co(n!t!e and pract!ca% s*ccess or correctness "rom "a!%*re or !ncorrectness
!s acting d!""erent%) !n response to those assessments. hat one does to d!st!n(*!sh those
cases !s respond to the error or "a!%*re that cons!sts !n *ndertak!n( !ncompat!'%e
comm!tments ') revising one?s comm!tments: #!thdra#!n( some& or ad2*st!n( the
concept*a% content one takes some o" them to hae#h!ch !s to sa) the mater!a%
!ncompat!'!%!t) and conse,*ence re%at!ons one takes them to stand !n. $n tak!n( !t that
ackno#%ed(!n( the incompatibility o" one?s comm!tments o'%!(es one to change them&
one !s tak!n( ho# th!n(s are for one to ans#er to a standard o" ho# the) are in
themse%es. That is tak!n( them to 'e about someth!n(& to 'e appearances o" a rea%!t)&
phenomena present!n( some no*mena& senses present!n( re"erents& !n short& #a)s th!n(s
are for a s*'2ect& rather than merely states of a s*'2ect.
.o# !s !t sett%ed #hat those th!n(s are#hat one !s actually re"err!n( to& represent!n(&
ta%k!n( or th!nk!n( a'o*t? .o#& on th!s p!ct*re& does sense semant!ca%%) determ!ne
re"erence& so that the re"erents co*nt as #hat !s co(n!t!e%) presented to the man!p*%ator
o" those senses?
The !dea that one?s comm!tments e0press ho# th!n(s are for one !s the !dea that 'es!des
the de dicto specification o" the!r sense or content -ho# !t !s "or the one #hose
comm!tments the) are) there are a%so de re specifications# o" ho# th!n(s that are that #a)
for one are in themse%es. We?e seen "or the case o" act!on that .e(e% !dent!"!es these
assessments as ones that are aa!%a'%e to others -or to onese%" later). $n th!s case& the de
re spec!"!cat!on a'oe #o*%d 'e the one re%eant to tr*thBandBs*ccess assessments "or
someone #ho 'e%!ees that the one Iant re"erred to %ate !n h!s %!"e as h!s 4treachero*s
serant5 #as !n "act h!s "a!th"*% and %on(Bs*""er!n( serant Kamp%. The sense Iant #o*%d
hae *sed on%) speakerBre"erred to the one the ascr!'er takes !t !s semant!ca%%) re"erred to
') the sense e0pressed ') 4Iant?s "a!th"*% and %on(Bs*""er!n( serant Kamp%.5
+o #hat esta'%!shes the re%at!on 'et#een sense and re"erent !s treat!n( one?s current
comm!tments as sett!n( a normat!e standard that no# (oerns -and !mp%!c!t%) a%read) a%%
a%on( d!d (oern) one?s previous comm!tments. +hat one "ust do in order thereb& to
be taking it in practice that one is talking or thinking about so"e wa& things are in
the"selves is to perfor" a recollection (:rinnerung) of the e;periential process that
&ielded that result. !his is a sort of rational reconstruction of the develop"ent of
2283:0;38.doc 12 9/18/2018
Brandom
the conceptual contents one currentl& endorses. It is telling a certain kind of
retrospective stor& about it: a stor& that e;hibits it as the cul"ination of an
expressively progressive tra<ector& selected fro" ones actual e;periential past. That
!s one !n #h!ch the #a) th!n(s are in themse%esas one c*rrent%) takes that to 'e!s
presented as ha!n( 'een a%% a%on( implicit !n each o" the #a)s th!n(s #ere for onese%"&
#!th each !nc%*ded trans"ormat!on !n response to the ackno#%ed(ement o" !ncompat!'%e
comm!tments (ett!n( one c%oser to the act*a% concept*a% contents. Jne treats one?s
c*rrent%) endorsed concept!ons and comm!tments as present!n( the rea%!t) 'eh!nd pr!or
appearances& as ha!n( 'een s*ch a (*!d!n(& (oern!n(& and contro%%!n( norm "or ho#
th!n(s sho#ed *p for consc!o*sness. Jne does that ') sort!n( e0per!ent!a% ep!sodes !nto
those that d!d and those that d!d not reea% aspects o" #hat eent*a%%) -so "ar) t*rned o*t
to 'e the tr*th. Jne rehearses a stor) a'o*t ho# #hat #as !mp%!c!t 'ecame (rad*a%%)
e0p%!c!t. Th!s !s pro!d!n( an expressive genealogy "or the c*rrent !e#: e0h!'!t!n( ho#&
(!en that th!n(s are as the) are no# taken to 'e& one came to "!nd o*t that that !s ho#
the) are.
An Cr!nner*n( rat!ona%%) reconstr*cts the e0per!ent!a% past !nto an e0press!e (enea%o()
!n the "orm o" a Wh!((!sh h!stor). $t !(nores e0press!e%) retro(rade e0per!ences and
!nstead traces o*t a tra2ector) o" e0press!e%) pro(ress!e !mproements !n ho# th!n(s
#ere "or *s that c*%m!nates !n the #a) #e c*rrent%) take them to 'e !n themse%es. $n th!s
#a) !t sho#s ho# #e "o*nd o*t #hat #e take o*rse%es no# to kno#. $t does that ')
e0h!'!t!n( a c*m*%at!e& monoton!c process o" ree%at!ono" the !mp%!c!t 'ecom!n(
(rad*a%%) e0p%!c!t. Th!s !s the "orm o" tr!*mpha%!st te0t'ook h!stor!es o" sc!ence and
mathemat!cs& o" reconstr*ct!ons o" the dee%opment o" the concepts o" common %a#& and
o" .e(e%?s o#n h!stor!es o" ph!%osoph)& art& and re%!(!on. +*ch stor!es e0h!'!t at each
sta(e the (ener!c sort o" retrospect!e necessity character!st!c o" 'oth the Phenomenology
and the Science of !ogic. Cach step !s necessar)& not !n the prospect!e sense that th!n(s
co*%d not hae happened other#!sethe #ron( t*rns that c%*tter *p the mess) act*a% past
om!tted "rom the reconstr*cted h!stor) sho# other#!se'*t !n the retrospect!e
e0press!e sense that !" the) had not happened& some aspect o" #hat the stor) c%a!ms #as
a%% a%on( !mp%!c!t #o*%d not hae 'ecome e0p%!c!t. $t !s !n th!s sense that there can 'e
expressive dependencies: one "eat*re co*%d not hae 'ecome e0p%!c!t *n%ess another
a%read) had.
Jn th!s .e(e%!an acco*nt& the %!nk 'et#een sense and re"erence !s !n the "!rst !nstance an
expressive one: the senses e0press the re"erence& mak!n( -some aspects o") !t e0p%!c!t. $t
!s a re%at!on esta'%!shed retrospectively& ') t*rn!n( a past !nto a h!stor)& an e0press!e
(enea%o(). And !t !s !n terms o" th!s retrospect!e%) d!scerned e0press!e re%at!on that the
representational d!mens!on o" concept *se !s e0p%a!ned. C0press!e (enea%o(!es
reconstr*ct e0per!ent!a% processes !nto trad!t!ons. And e0press!e reconstr*ct!on !s
rational reconstr*ct!on. 6or th!s !s the process that e0p%a!ns ho# senses can 'e ree%ator)
o" re"erents.
6rom the perspect!e o" an) s*ch retrospect!e reconstr*ct!on o" some co*rse o"
e0per!ence& the re"erence !s constant. $t !s #hat t!es the #ho%e process to(ether !nto a
*n!t)& (ro*p!n( a #ho%e c%ass o" senses to(ether as represent!n(s o" the same represented
2283:0;38.doc 13 9/18/2018
Brandom
#a) the #or%d !s& more or %ess e0p%!c!t e0press!ons o" the same !mp%!c!t content. The
senses that -accord!n( to the reconstr*cted (enea%o()) e%a'orate& e0press& and c*%m!nate
!n that constant& *n!")!n( content& ') contrast& are ar!o*s and ar!a'%e& d!""er!n( !n the
e0tent to #h!ch and the #a)s !n #h!ch the) make that !mp%!c!t content e0p%!c!t. The) are
the moment o" d!spar!t) o" "orm o" e0press!n( o" the !dent!ca% content e0pressed. Lp
*nt!% the er) end -the c*rrent& temporar) c*%m!nat!on)& the senses& the #a)s th!n(s are
"or consc!o*sness& are neer ,*!te r!(ht& neer "*%%) ade,*ate e0press!ons o" the!r content&
st!%% s*'2ect to error and "a!%*re #hen the) are app%!ed to noe% part!c*%ars. B*t the #a)
th!n(s are !n themse%es& rea%!t)& pers!sts *nchan(ed and *nmoed ') the "%*0 o" !ts
appearances. Th!s conste%%at!on o" sense and re"erents& o" re%at!ons !nst!t*ted ')
processes& !s the 'as!c semant!c str*ct*re o" !dent!t)B!nBd!""erence const!t*t!e o"
consc!o*sness.
We are no# !n a 'etter pos!t!on to *nderstand #hat !t means to sa) that "or .e(e%&
determ!nateness& %!ke tr*th& !s !n the #ho%e process& not !n the re%at!ons at an) one sta(e
'et#een sub<ectivel& endorsed conceptual contents (concepts
sub<
Bsenses) and
ob<ectivel& correct conceptual contents (concepts
ob<
Breferents)& #h!ch #!%% a%#a)s
eent*a%%) 'e d!scoered to hae !no%ed a d!spar!t). +e "ust reconstrue the concept
deter"inate# so as to think of it in the first instance as a feature of the whole process
of determining conceptual contents# and onl& derivativel& of the snapshot stages of
that process# rather than the other wa& around. +e "ust distinguish
deter"inate
/erstand
fro" deter"inate
/ernunft
. The metaconcept o" concepts that are
determ!nate
Herstand
!s the !dea o" a *n!ersa% that sett%es& "or eer) part!c*%ar& #hether or not
the part!c*%ar "a%%s *nder the *n!ersa%& !ndependent%) o" an) cons!derat!on o" the process
o" determining the 'o*ndar!es o" that *n!ersa%. Th!s !s the Iant!anB6re(ean !dea that
.e(e% th!nks !s !ncoherent. There are no determ!nate
Herstand
concepts that rea%%) -neer
m!nd "!na%%) or "*%%)) art!c*%ate the #or%d. There are determ!nate
Hern*n"t
ones that do so&
"!na%%) and "*%%). The) are the er) concepts #e are dep%o)!n( no#. B*t the) art!c*%ate
the #or%d on%) !a the process o" re"!n!n( thema process that !n pr!nc!p%e has no end
po!nt. It is the process that is the truth. Th!nk!n( that !t m*st hae an endpo!nt& on pa!n
o" %ea!n( an *nconcept*a%!1a'%e res!d*e !s %ook!n( "or determ!nateness
Herstand
.
Aeterm!nate
Herstand
!s #hat )o* (et !" )o* take one o" the perspect!esthe retrospect!e&
Wh!((!sh one& and *nderstand the re%at!on 'et#een the #ho%e process& including the
prospect!e sh!"t to a new Wh!((!sh stor)& on the mode% o" ho# th!n(s %ook "rom within
2*st one o" those stor!es. Th!s !s oneBs!ded%) m!stak!n( one aspect o" the process& one
perspect!e on !t& "or the #ho%e th!n(. The on%) #a) to ask #hether one concept-slice !s
correct or not !s to ask a'o*t #hether the content o" the concept !t !s a tempora% s%!ce o" !s
correct or not. That !s to ask a'o*t the #ho%e *n"o%d!n( -'ecom!n(BmoreBe0p%!c!t)
process. /ompare: Ask!n( #hether an !ntent!on !s sat!s"!ed !s ask!n( a'o*t the content
o" the #ho%e act!on that !t !s a perspect!e on. We hae seen that .e(e%?s !n!t!a% take on
concept*a% contents makes h!m an inferential -!ncompat!'!%!t)) holist& and that h!s
reco(n!t!e p!ct*re o" normat!!t) makes h!m a social holist. We can no# see that he !s
a%so a temporal holist a'o*t the contents o" concepts. Th!s !s the reso%*t!on o" the
.e(e%!an ant!nom) that #h!%e no part!c*%ar temporal slice content -a Herstand content) !s
correct& or co*%d 'e correct& st!%% the #ho%e dee%op!n(/'ecom!n(BmoreBe0p%!c!t concept -a
2283:0;38.doc 18 9/18/2018
Brandom
Hern*n"t content) is -a%#a)s a%read)) correct. B*t !t !s not correct !n the #a) Herstand
contents #o*%d 'e& and no temporal slice o" !t !s or co*%d 'e correct !n that #a) e!ther.
A. Intentional *genc& as a Codel for the $evelop"ent of -enses
!he "odel for the retrospective discern"ent of the i"plicit unit& of a course of
e;periencethe dee%opment o" #hat th!n(s are for consc!o*sness !n the d!rect!on o"
#hat the) are in themse%esis to be found on the practical side of intentional action.
Wh!%e the initiall& endorsed purpose# !n !rt*e o" #h!ch a process co*nts as !ntent!ona%
-and hence an act!on& someth!n( done) at a%%& em'od!es a de dicto specification o" the
!ntent!on -and hence at %east !n a speaker?s re"err!n( #a)& the deed)& it is onl&
retrospectivel&# fro" the point of view of the acco"plished deed that a de re
specification of that intention is available. -J" co*rse& "*rther conse,*ent!a%
spec!"!cat!ons o" the deed& and hence de re spec!"!cat!ons o" the !ntent!on& neer cease to
'ecome aa!%a'%e& as the ca*sa% conse,*ences o" #hat !s done r!pp%e o*t#arda po!nt
#hose s!(n!"!cance !n th!s conte0t #!%% 'e cons!dered 'e%o#.) +e are to understand the
wa& the referent attributed b& a retrospective recollection -Cr!nner*n(&
W!ederho%*n() o" a co*rse o" e0per!ence on the co(n!t!e s!de furnishes a standard for
the nor"ative assess"ent of the variousl& revised and transfor"ed senses that are
thereb& taken to e;press it# in ter"s of how the intention attributed b& a
retrospective :rinnerung of an e;tended action process fro" the point of the deed
acco"plished furnishes a standard for the nor"ative assess"ent of the variousl&
revised and transfor"ed plans that are thereb& taken to e;press it. The reason one
can on%) te%% the !ntent!on "rom the deed !s that the !ntent!on !s pr!mar!%) man!"ested !n the
#ho%e eo%!n( p%an& and on%) secondar!%) !n an) !nd!!d*a% t!meBs%!ce o" !t. Th*s !t !s
on%) retrospect!e%) aa!%a'%e. $ntent!ons !n th!s sense are the (*!d!n( norms on the
pract!ca% s!de that #e are to *se as the mode% o" facts #h!ch (*!de the dee%opment o"
concepts on the theoret!ca% s!de.
The "!rst po!nt !s that a s*'2ect?s proper response to h!s ackno#%ed(ment o" !ncompat!'%e
comm!tments& #hether !n the "orm o" co(n!t!e error or pract!ca% "a!%*re& !s to do someth!n(.
The s*'2ect seeks to repa!r the d!scordant comm!tments ') act!e%) changing them. -o for
Hegel# not onl& is e;perience a process rather than a punctifor" event# but it essentiall&
involves a doing# the e;ercise of practical agenc&. Th!s !s the e0p%anator) pr!mac) o" the
pract!ca%: co(n!t!on !s mode%ed on !ntent!ona% a(enc). C0per!ence necessar!%) !no%es
reflection on one?s concepts and comm!tmentsan act!e tak!n( o" respons!'!%!t) "or them
and e0erc!se o" a*thor!t) oer them& !dent!")!n( #!th some ') sacr!"!c!n( others. That
concept!on o" e0per!ence as 'ased on an act!e process o" re"%ect!on !s as "ar remoed as !t
co*%d 'e "rom spectator mode%s& #here the on%) necessar) re"%ect!on !s a pass!e m!rror!n(
re%at!on. !hose choices and endorse"ents# nor"ative identifications and sacrifices# are
phases of the ongoing e;periential process b& which on the one hand self1conscious
individual selves are deter"ined# and on the other the sub<ective constellation of
concepts1and1co""it"ents# how things are for the sub<ect# is further deter"ined b&
incorporating aspects of how things are in the"selves. !his is wh& =the individual
hu"an being is what the deed is#? and wh& =Individualit& is what its world is# the world
2283:0;38.doc 19 9/18/2018
Brandom
that is its own. Individualit& is itself the c&cle of its action in what has e;hibited itself as
an actual world.5
30

K!ke a%% deeds& the re!s!ons o" conceptsBandBcomm!tments that are the!r dee%opment ')
determ!nat!on are doubly do!n(s. The a*thor!t) e0erc!sed ') the s*'2ect !n endors!n( a
re!s!on p%an !s 'a%anced ') another a*thor!t)& to #h!ch !t !s respons!'%e. Th!s !s a core
!nstance o" the (enera% pr!nc!p%e that deter"inatel& contentful nor"s are instituted
onl& b& reciprocal recognition. 8nless authorit& is balanced b& a corresponding
responsibilit&# it cannot have deter"inate content. $n the case o" e0per!ence& the
co*nterB'a%anc!n( a*thor!t) !s s*pp%!ed ') the "act that an) e0per!ent!a% re!s!on !s s*'2ect
to assessment ') a retrospective recollection.
The mode% "or th!s on the s!de o" pract!ca% a(enc) !s the #a) the de re
spec!"!cat!on o" the content o" an !ntent!on -a k!nd o" sense) chan(es #hen a ne#
conse,*ence occ*rs& so that ne# conse,*ent!a% descr!pt!ons 'ecome aa!%a'%e.
>etrospectivel&# we learn so"ething about what we in fact intended. +o #e
can see that er) !ntent!on as 'e!n( "*rther expressed. ,rospectivel&# since the
conse9uence is not foreseeable# it hadnt happened &et# this sa"e process
appears as further determination of it. The pr!or sense or !ntent!on appears
!ndeterm!nate !n the snapshot 6re(ean sense& s!nce !t has not )et 'een sett%ed
#hether that conse,*ent!a% descr!pt!on !s a spec!"!cat!on o" it. Th*s #hat appears
"rom a retrospect!e po!nt o" !e# as change o" 6re(ean%) determ!nate '*t not
#ho%%) correct sensesone (!!n( r!se to another #!th each e0per!ent!a% ep!sode
"rom the prospect!e po!nt o" !e# sho#s *p as the "!%%!n(B!n o" an !ntent!on or
sense& as the process o" act!on dee%ops. Jne can see that ar!o*s conse,*ent!a%
descr!pt!ons m!(ht or m!(ht not cont!n(ent%) t*rn o*t to 'e tr*e o" #hat one !s
do!n(. Jne can see that app%!cat!ons o" concepts to noe% part!c*%ars could t*rn
o*t to 'e e!ther appropr!ate or !nappropr!ate. $eter"ination and e;pression are
two wa&s of looking at one kind of processD the& are prospective and
retrospective perspectives# respectivel&.
prod*c!n( an e0press!e%) pro(ress!e (enea%o() !s also a doing. @rod*c!n( a
reco%%ect!on !s a%so someth!n( done. The do!n( that creates th!s retrospect!e perspect!e
adds a "*rther d!mens!on a%on( #h!ch e0per!ence !s not 2*st someth!n( that happens.
Th!s !s one o" the #a)s !t !s t*rned !nto someth!n( done. >etrospection is a kind of
action# which retroactivel& affects the significance of the process to which it is
directed.
Te%%!n( the r!(ht k!nd o" retrospect!e stor) !s (!!n( the process o" dee%opment that
!ss*es !n the "!na% sense -and so determ!nes the re"erent) the shape o" a plan. Ao!n( that
a%so !no%es mak!n( cho!ces amon( a%ternat!es& and "orm*%at!n( a p%an to sec*re a
res*%t. The p*rpose !s to p!ck o*t o" the act*a% dee%opmenta% tra2ector) o" appearances
e%ements str*ct*red !n #hat co*%d 'e ca%%ed an 4expressive p%an5. Th!s !s a de re
spec!"!cat!on o" an intention retrospect!e%) d!scern!'%e "rom the achievement o" the
c*rrent%) endorsed sense.
30
Phenomenology 7322 and 7308.
2283:0;38.doc 1: 9/18/2018
Brandom
$oing the prospective work of co"ing up with a new revision and doing the
retrospective work of co"ing up with a new recollection that e;hibits it as the
cul"ination of an e;pressivel& progressive process in which what was i"plicit is
"ade graduall& but cu"ulativel& "ore e;plicit are two wa&s of describing one task.
/om!n( *p #!th the 4ne#& tr*e& o'2ect5& !.e. a cand!date re"erent& !no%es e0h!'!t!n( the
other endorsed senses as more or %ess m!s%ead!n( or ree%ator) appearances of !t& 'etter or
#orse e0press!ons o" it. What d!st!n(*!shes the ar!o*s prospect!e a%ternat!e poss!'%e
cand!date re!s!ons and repa!rs o" the conste%%at!on o" senses no# reea%ed as anoma%o*s
!s 2*st #hat retrospect!e stor!es can 'e to%d a'o*t each. 6or !t !s ') o""er!n( s*ch an
e0press!e%) pro(ress!e (enea%o() o" !t that one "ustifies the moe to a re!sed scheme.
H!e#ed prospect!e%)& common %a# !s 2*d(eBmade %a#: there !s noth!n( to !t e0cept the
trad!t!on o" act*a% app%!cat!ons o" !ts concepts to concrete cases.
C0per!ent!a% processes can 'e tho*(ht o" as se,*ences o" d!screte& more or %ess e0tended
ep!sodes.
a) The "!rst phase o" each ep!sode !s !n!t!ated #hen app%!cat!ons o" e0!st!n(
concepts !n 2*d(ment and act!on res*%t !n the *ndertak!n( and
ackno#%ed(!n( o" comm!tments that are !ncompat!'%e ') the s*'2ectB
a(ent?s o#n c*rrent %!(hts.
') The second phase o" each e0per!ent!a% ep!sode can then 'e tho*(ht !n t#o
essent!a%& and essent!a%%) comp%ementar) #a)s& "rom t#o d!""erent po!nts
o" !e#.
!. Re(arded prospectivel&# "rom the po!nt o" !e# o" pract!ca%
de%!'erat!on& the s*'2ect/a(ent !s o'%!(ed ') the ackno#%ed(ment
o" comm!tments stand!n( !n re%at!ons o" !ncompat!'!%!t) to do
someth!n( to the conceptsBandBcomm!tments he has !nher!ted& to
a%ter them so as to remoe the !ncompat!'!%!t). $n a 'road sense&
th!s !s "*rther determ!n!n( the contents o" those conceptsBandB
comm!tments ') !ncorporat!n( !nto ho# th!n(s are "or one the
emp!r!ca%Bpract!ca% !n"ormat!on that !s pro!ded ') the "act that
app%)!n( the concept*a% norms one c*rrent%) endorses has %ed to
contrad!ct!n( onese%". That conste%%at!on o" conceptsBandB
comm!tments m*st then& accord!n( to !ts o#n !mp%!c!t norms& 'e
re!sed& re"ash!oned& remade. $t !s a cr!ter!on o" ade,*ac) on
s*cceed!n( at th!s pract!ca% task that one can te%% a retrospect!e
stor) a'o*t ho#& !" th!n(s are as the re!sed conste%%at!on o"
conceptsBandBcomm!tments takes them to 'e !n themse%es& one
"o*nd that o*t ') a pr!!%e(ed s*'Bse,*ence o" the act*a%
e0per!ent!a% ep!sodes one *nder#ent.
!!. Re(arded retrospectivel&& "rom the po!nt o" !e# o" assessment o"
the e0per!ent!a% trans"ormat!on& that remak!n( m*st 'e e0h!'!ted as
the c*%m!nat!on o" a process ') #h!ch #hat #as a%% a%on( !mp%!c!t
!n the concepts one endorsed and the comm!tments one *ndertook
!n app%)!n( them 'ecomes (rad*a%%) more e0p%!c!t. That !s& one
m*st e0h!'!t the res*%t o" one?s re!s!on as finding out ho# th!n(s
2283:0;38.doc 17 9/18/2018
Brandom
a%% a%on( a%read) #ere !n themse%es& #hat one #as rea%%) ta%k!n(
and th!nk!n( about& #hat one #as re"err!n( to ') dep%o)!n( the
ear%!er& ar!o*s%) de"ect!e senses& the rea%!t) that #as a%% a%on(
appear!n(& tho*(h !n some aspects !ncomp%ete%) or !ncorrect%).
The disparity o" the senses -appearances& phenomena& #a)s th!n(s are for consc!o*sness)
that !s man!"est prospect!e%) !n the need to re!se )et a(a!n the contentsBandB
comm!tments one c*rrent%) endorses& and the unity o" referents -rea%!t)& no*mena& #a)s
th!n(s are in themse%es) that !s man!"est retrospect!e%) !n the!r (rad*a% emer(ence !nto
e0p%!c!tness as reea%ed ') an e0press!e (enea%o() o" the contentsBandBcomm!tments
one c*rrent%) endorses& are t#o s!des o" one co!n& each !nte%%!(!'%e on%) !n a conte0t that
conta!ns the other. Th*s the sense in which "an& alternatives are prospectivel& open
to the sub<ect1agent of e;perience in the second phase of an e;periential episode is
<ust that "an& different revisions could be retrospectivel& rationali%ed b& different
e;pressive genealogies. .ence there are man) d!""erent re"erents those senses co*%d 'e
taken to determ!ne semant!ca%%) and present co(n!t!e%).
Jn the other hand& the act*a% app%!cat!ons o" concepts that %ead to e0per!ent!a% cho!ces o"
re!s!onidentification #!th some "eat*res o" a conste%%at!on o" conceptsBandB
comm!tments thro*(h sacrifice o" otherspro!de the ra# mater!a%s that m*st 'e
se%ected and arran(ed !nto e0press!e%) pro(ress!e& rat!ona%%) reconstr*cted trad!t!ons
!nd!cat!n( the c*rrent concept*a% conste%%at!on as the re"erence 'oth semant!ca%%)
determ!ned and co(n!t!e%) presented ') a%% the senses "rom #h!ch the e0press!e%)
pr!!%e(ed tra2ector) !s dra#n. The process ') #h!ch #hat .e(e% ca%%s 4the /oncept5
dee%ops& as conste%%at!ons o" concept*a% contentsBandBcomm!tments are "o*nd #ant!n(
and rep%aced or re!sed#h!ch !s the same process ') #h!ch !nd!!d*a% se%"B
consc!o*snesses dee%opm*st 'e tho*(ht o" as 'oth a process o" eer (reater
determination o" concept*a% contents and o" eer (reater expression o" them.
a) >egarded prospectivel&& the concept*a% contents are 'e!n( made more
determinate& as "eat*res o" ho# th!n(s rea%%) are !n themse%es are !ncorporated
!nto ho# the) are "or consc!o*sness ') cr*c!a% e0per!ent!a% ep!sodes.
') >egarded retrospectivel&& the concept*a% contents are 'e!n( (rad*a%%) '*t
!ne0ora'%) -#!th retrospect!e necess!t)) reea%ed and e0pressed: #hat #as a%%
a%on( !mp%!c!t made more and more e0p%!c!t.
The ke) to the .e(e%!an semant!c !s!on !s that ta%k o" the process o" se,*ent!a%%) and
pro(ress!e%) determining ("aking "ore deter"inate) disparate senses& and ta%k o"
the process o" se,*ent!a%%) and progressivel& expressing ("aking "ore e;plicit)
referents are t#o #a)s o" ta%k!n( a'o*t the same process.
Mak!n( ne# senses !s ho# one "!nds the re"erents.
!his historicall& perspectival practical process of deter"ination and e;pression
relating the two se"antic di"ensions of sense and reference# what things are for
consciousness and what the& are in the"selves# is what ulti"atel& "akes sense of the
relational structure of identit&1through1difference that is the leading idea of Hegels
logic'the "etatheoretic constellation of concepts1and1co""it"ents in whose ter"s
he "akes e;plicit how the 6oncept evolves b& deter"ination1and1e;pression.
Lnderstand!n( ho# th!s sort o" dee%opmenta% process !nd*ces semant!c and co(n!t!e
relations 'et#een phenomena on the s*'2ect!e s!de o" certa!nt) and no*mena on the
2283:0;38.doc 18 9/18/2018
Brandom
o'2ect!e s!de o" tr*th !s *nderstand!n( the s!(n!"!cance o" the thes!s o" concept*a%
!dea%!sm "or .e(e%?s theor) o" consc!o*sness.
AI. .ro" .inite to Infinite 6onceptions of *genc&: 6ontraction and :;pansion
-trategies
2283:0;38.doc 1; 9/18/2018