ABSTRACT
Given the appropriateness of a two-tier theory of conduct to the facts of human choice, the question now arises how the selves that such a theory assumes are possible. The answer is human sociality. The facts to which the thesis refers are no discovery of mine. Human beings justify themselves for their undertakings by means of reference to their social positions. They refer to their social roles and the particular circumstances in virtue of which they come to say which those roles are and what they demand of persons in their circumstances. On the thesis of sociality, selves are members of communities of selves as native speakers are members of language communities. Manifestations of one's dependence on a community of selves are encountered directly in one's most interested as in one's most disinterested moments. The thesis of sociality presented requires differentiating the response of human beings to their personal and communal predicaments from the behavior of other animals.
