The Philosophy Department's colloquia series presents: James Conant and Matthias Haase (University of Chicago).

Title: Being Known to Each Other

Abstract: Among the things to know there are people. But a person is not just another thing one might know something about. By contrast to a thing, a person can figure on either side of knowing: as knower and as known. It is possible for a person to know something, and it is possible for a person to be known by someone. To know someone thus contains the possibility for the object known to be a knowing subject. By the same token, it is also possible for two people to be known to each other. In the paper, we will argue that this is the logically fundamental case. The epistemic relation to a person is to be understood by reflection on the form it takes in communication: being known to each other in reciprocal address. The meeting of minds in the exchange of words or signs lies at the foundation of both knowledge of other minds and knowledge of one’s own mind.