Real Team Reasoning
In: Historical social research: HSR-Retrospective (HSR-Retro) = Historische Sozialforschung, Band 48, Heft 3, S. 40-55
ISSN: 2366-6846
This paper focuses on a kind of reasoning in which the members of a group with a goal of its own may engage, herein referred to as "real team reasoning." Starting with four challenging observations on what is, and is not, involved in acting together towards a group or collective goal, an account of a collective goal that accords with these observations is offered. This account appeals to a joint commitment of the parties, understood as is explained. Several virtues of the account are noted, and it is defended against a methodological objection privileging theoretical parsimony by reference in part to the need to invoke joint commitment in other contexts.