ABSTRACT
As Mead argues, social objects are constituted in symbolic action: Symbolization constitutes objects not constituted before, objects which would not exist except for the context of social relationships wherein symbolization occurs. The individual plunges into a symbolic sea of meanings which have already been defined and interpreted by others. Nevertheless, this is exactly the opposite of reflexive interaction as understood by Mead. Dramatically scenes are staged so that action can take place within a particular spatial and temporal framework. The dramatist selects his scene with the object of highlighting and illustrating certain elements of the action. The staging of an act in a scene implies a certain type of unity between action and context. The agent or actor can be conceived of as being responsible for his actions, or as being directed by others. Obviously the agent is not some splendidly isolated monad in the sense that Leibniz gives to the term.
