Ward, Nathan D.

English

Georgia State University

ABSTRACT 
 
In this thesis I examine the philosophical views of John Searle, Guy Debord, and Jean 
Baudrillard. These thinkers have radically different methodologies and theoretical 
alignments, but they are not entirely dissimilar. John Searle argues that there are two 
types of facts—those independent of human observation and those whose meaning 
depends on agreement. Guy Debord posits that modern society has replaced authentic 
social life with mere representation. The “spectacle” has replaced real interactions with 
others so that meaning itself is no longer authentic; it is treated as a commodity or 
currency. Jean Baudrillard argues that society has replaced reality with signs and 
symbols. Thus, human experience consists only of simulations, not reality itself. Each of 
these figures maintains that meaning is socially constructed. After examining the key 
assumptions of their respective theories, I demonstrate that their accounts are compatible 
and argue that their accounts are most cohesive when considered together. 


HYPERREALITY & SPECTACULAR SOCIAL ONTOLOGY: REEXAMINING BAUDRILLARD, DEBORD, & SEARLE

ScholarWorks @ Georgia State University

ABSTRACT  In this thesis I examine the philosophical views of John Searle, Guy Debord, and Jean Baudrillard. These thinkers have radically different methodologies and theoretical alignments, but they are not entirely dissimilar. John Searle argues that there are two types of facts—those independent of human observation and those whose meaning depends on agreement. Guy Debord posits that modern society has replaced authentic social life with mere representation. The “spectacle” has replaced real interactions with others so that meaning itself is no longer authentic; it is treated as a commodity or currency. Jean Baudrillard argues that society has replaced reality with signs and symbols. Thus, human experience consists only of simulations, not reality itself. Each of these figures maintains that meaning is socially constructed. After examining the key assumptions of their respective theories, I demonstrate that their accounts are compatible and argue that their accounts are most cohesive when considered together. 

https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1408&amp;context=gsurc

HYPERREALITY & SPECTACULAR SOCIAL ONTOLOGY: REEXAMINING BAUDRILLARD, DEBORD, & SEARLE

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Georgia State University

ScholarWorks @ Georgia State University