WINNER OF THE PHILOSOPHICAL ESSAY PRIZE 2010: The simplicity of mutual knowledge

Mutual perceptual knowledge is a prevalent feature of our everyday lives, yet appears to be exceptionally difficult to characterise in an acceptable way. This paper argues for a renewed understanding of Stephen Schiffer's iterative approach to mutual knowledge, according to which mutual knowled...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Philosophical explorations 2010-06, Vol.13 (2), p.83-100
Main Author: Wilby, Michael
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Babies
Cognition & reasoning
cognitive science
developmental psychology
folk psychology
intersubjectivity
Knowledge
Social interaction
Social psychology
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Summary:Mutual perceptual knowledge is a prevalent feature of our everyday lives, yet appears to be exceptionally difficult to characterise in an acceptable way. This paper argues for a renewed understanding of Stephen Schiffer's iterative approach to mutual knowledge, according to which mutual knowledge requires an infinite number of overlapping, embedded mental states. It is argued that the charge of 'psychological implausibility' that normally accompanies discussion of this approach can be offset by identifying mutual knowledge, not with the infinite iterations themselves, but with the finite base which Schiffer proves is capable of generating those iterations. An understanding of this finite base as a primitive, relational property holding between two or more people, allows us to understand the iterations as an implicit and 'harmless' intrapersonal feature of what is an interpersonal phenomenon. The paper concludes by relating the account to joint attention in infant interaction.
ISSN:1386-9795
1741-5918
DOI:10.1080/13869791003759963