Person, subjectivity and agency – from the perspective of critical realism

Abstract

ABSTRACT The perspective of critical realism in the reflection on a ‘human being' excludes any constructivist or subjectivist concepts of the ‘black hole' of language. This seems essential, in philosophy and psychology, but also in sociology. My point of departure is Émile Durkheim's concept of homo duplex on the ground of realistic phenomenology (Roman Ingarden, Edith Stein). However, I believe that the problems require the perspective of critical realism. They find their resolution in Margaret Archer's concept of human being, which is the most outstanding theoretical thought of the contemporary humanities. This leads me to reflect on the sense of the concept of subjectivity, which gives the opportunity to grasp the sense of humanity in realistic terms. I am proposing a three-fold formula for subjectivity which leads beyond the important, but not the only dimension, which is that of agency. This approach may be useful in this time of civilizational crisis.