The Skill Hypothesis: A Variant

Kim Sterelny*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    3 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The basic idea of Birch's analysis is plausible: normative guidance began in agents' assessment of their own craft skills. But I suggest developing that idea in a different way. I suggest that proto-normative affect plays its guiding role diachronically, in the development of those skills, rather than synchronically, in modulating their moment-by-moment execution. More importantly, I suggest a different pathway to normative affect's direction at second and third parties. Normative response became social in the context of skilled collaborative activities, for in those activities others' failures have material consequences for each agent. In such collaborations, all have reason to care about others' skill, or lack of it.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)225-234
    Number of pages10
    JournalAnalyse und Kritik
    Volume43
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2021

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