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Cited by 339Wittgensteinian philosophy and applicationsEmbodied and Extended CognitionPhenomenology and Existential Philosophy

Situated normativity: the normative aspect of embodied cognition in unreflective action.

Rietveld, Erik·2008·Mind
DOI 10.1093/mind/fzn050
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Abstract

In everyday life we often act adequately, yet without deliberation. For instance, we immediately obtain and maintain an appropriate distance from others in an elevator. The notion of normativity implied here is a very basic one, namely distinguishing adequate from inadequate, correct from incorrect, or better from worse in the context of a particular situation. In the first part of this paper I investigate such ‘situated normativity’ by focusing on unreflective expert action. More particularly, I use Wittgenstein's examples of craftsmen (tailors and architects) absorbed in action to introduce situated normativity. Situated normativity can be understood as the normative aspect of embodied cognition in unreflective skillful action. I develop Wittgenstein's insight that a peculiar type of affective behaviour, ‘directed discontent’, is essential for getting things right without reflection. Directed discontent is a reaction of appreciation in action and is introduced as a paradigmatic expression of situated normativity. In the second part I discuss Wittgenstein's ideas on the normativity of what he calls ‘blind’ rule-following and the ‘bedrock’ of immediate action. What matters for understanding the normativity of (even ‘blind’) rule-following, is not that one has the capacity for linguistic articulation or reflection but that one is reliably participating in a communal custom. In the third part I further investigate the complex relationships between unreflective skillful action, perception, emotion, and normativity. Part of this entails an account of the link between normativity at the level of the expert's socio-cultural practice and the individual's situated and lived normativity.

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  • Retrieval from one's action repertoire and ad hoc construction or improvised performance are motivated by current affect: by directed discontent.

    “Retrieval from one’s action repertoire and ad hoc construction or improvised performance are motivated by current affect: by directed discontent (Rietveld, 2008).”

    From Impulsive action: emotional impulses and their control (2014) · cites this paper as Rietveld, 2008

  • When affordances are relevant to the moment's action orientation and concern engagement, they do influence the course of further processing.

    “In contrast, when affordances are relevant to the moment’s action orientation and concern engagement, they do influence the course of further processing (Rietveld, 2008, 2012).”

    From Impulsive action: emotional impulses and their control (2014) · cites this paper as Rietveld, 2008

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Authors
Rietveld, E.
Affiliations
Harvard University (US)
Corresponding author
Rietveld, Erik
ORCID
Rietveld, Erik
Venue
Mind
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2008-10-01
Volume
117
Issue
468
Pages
973-1001
ISSN
  • 0026-4423 (ISSN-L)
  • 1460-2113
DOI
10.1093/mind/fzn050
OpenAlex
W2124705652
Cited by
339
References
48
Citations by year
2026: 18 · 2025: 29 · 2024: 49 · 2023: 41 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 31 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 22 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 12
FWCI
38.93
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Mind (publishedVersion)
  • UvA-DARE (University of Amsterdam) (publishedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Wittgensteinian philosophy and applications
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Embodied and Extended Cognition
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Phenomenology and Existential Philosophy
Keywords
embodied cognition, Wittgenstein, artisans, perception, emotions, normativity, tacit knowledge

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