The Role of the Individual and His Inner Life in Austin’s Theory of the Performative Acts

Olga Netrebiak

doi:10.18290/rt22691-5

Olga Netrebiak Ukrainian Catholic University, Theology and Philosophy Faculty, Lviv https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9309-1401

Keywords: language, performative acts, speech acts, locution, illocution, perlocution, individual, inner life, social relations

Abstract

The theory of performative acts of John Austin’s survived enough critics and modifications with some marginalization this author in philosophy. This article proposes to rethink the main ideas of John Austin through the perspective of the integral role individual with his abundance of inner life that has especial value in Austin’s theory of performative acts. The article offers detailed analyses of Austin’s main texts and through them reflect on two applications of this theory in the area of the cultural anthropology and Bible studies. This comparison will show how attentive preserving the authentic intention of the author can influence the right or wrong interpretation of speech act in this area.

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