The Relevance Of The Irrelevant
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Ilja Srubar
Abstract
The formation of cultural worlds happens through selective mechanisms inherent to social action and communication. In social theory such selectivity is often thematized as the problem of relevance, i.e. as the problem of preferences orienting action and transforming open possibilities into the reality of specific life forms. The article thematizes the selective “machineries” of pragmatic relevance working in habitus, language, institutions, discourses and narratives. It argues that approaching the formation of cultural life forms from this point of view confronts us with the fact that the selective processes do not annihilate the excluded possibilities, which instead remain on the horizon of the respective universe of meaning while still forming its order. The mutual relation of relevance and the irrelevant within the construction of social reality is discussed in the final part of the paper.
Abstract
The formation of cultural worlds happens through selective mechanisms inherent to social action and communication. In social theory such selectivity is often thematized as the problem of relevance, i.e. as the problem of preferences orienting action and transforming open possibilities into the reality of specific life forms. The article thematizes the selective “machineries” of pragmatic relevance working in habitus, language, institutions, discourses and narratives. It argues that approaching the formation of cultural life forms from this point of view confronts us with the fact that the selective processes do not annihilate the excluded possibilities, which instead remain on the horizon of the respective universe of meaning while still forming its order. The mutual relation of relevance and the irrelevant within the construction of social reality is discussed in the final part of the paper.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Preface V
- Contents IX
- Relevance And Irrelevance 1
-
Theories
- New Reflections On The Problem(S) Of Relevance(S). The Return Of The Phenomena 21
- Finite Provinces Of Meaning: The Expansive Context Of Relevance 51
- Bridging Rhetoric And Pragmatics With Relevance Theory 69
- The Body Relevant 97
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Factors
- Relevance From And Beyond Propositions. The Case Of Online Identity 119
- Relevance Before, During, And After Discourse Experiences 141
- Social Distribution Of Knowledge In Action: The Practical Management Of Classification 161
- On Cooling The Relevance Out 187
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Challenges
- The Relevance Of The Irrelevant 209
- Many Ways Of Being Relevant. Information Support For Problem Solving And Decision Making 223
- Alterity And Biographical Experience: Relevance In Mediated Interaction 261
- Lady Justice Turns A Blind Eye: (Ir-)Relevance, Legal Thought And Social Order 281
- Notes On Contributors 303
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Preface V
- Contents IX
- Relevance And Irrelevance 1
-
Theories
- New Reflections On The Problem(S) Of Relevance(S). The Return Of The Phenomena 21
- Finite Provinces Of Meaning: The Expansive Context Of Relevance 51
- Bridging Rhetoric And Pragmatics With Relevance Theory 69
- The Body Relevant 97
-
Factors
- Relevance From And Beyond Propositions. The Case Of Online Identity 119
- Relevance Before, During, And After Discourse Experiences 141
- Social Distribution Of Knowledge In Action: The Practical Management Of Classification 161
- On Cooling The Relevance Out 187
-
Challenges
- The Relevance Of The Irrelevant 209
- Many Ways Of Being Relevant. Information Support For Problem Solving And Decision Making 223
- Alterity And Biographical Experience: Relevance In Mediated Interaction 261
- Lady Justice Turns A Blind Eye: (Ir-)Relevance, Legal Thought And Social Order 281
- Notes On Contributors 303
