Abstract
Proceeding from the debate opened by Beck, Giddens and Lash, this article seeks to clear the way for a more consistent and coherent concept of reflexivity in relation to the cultural-symbolic foundations of society. Seeing that Lash in his contribution to the debate inadvertently raises a key problem, i.e. the board cognitive problem, the paper develops a critique of his hermeneutic culturalism. It focuses on the disparity between the position explicitly put forward in the debate with Beck and Giddens and the cognitive position which implicitly comes into play throughout his relevant essays. The disparity first appears in his treatment of the problem of mediation, but it comes to a head in his appropriation of Bourdieu. The argument is supported by elements of a socio-cognitive theory which has been gaining visibility in social theory and in the philosophy of social science. While the article is critical of Lash, its overall aim is to strengthen his contribution to the debate.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
