The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast Ep. 380: Josiah Royce on Community (Part One)
Nov 23, 2025
Kara Barnett, a visiting scholar and expert on Josiah Royce, dives into the philosopher's intriguing ideas on community. They discuss how communities function as a collective mind while preserving individuality. Kara highlights how shared histories and loyalties guide personal meaning and interpretation. The conversation unfolds around the balance between ideal communities and real-world dynamics, emphasizing the importance of loyalty and social connections for a meaningful life. An engaging exploration of how community shapes our identities and expectations!
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Episode notes
Why Royce Was Recommended
- Kara recommended Royce because he mixes Hegelian and pragmatist elements into an 'absolute pragmatist' stance.
- The hosts noted Royce's unusual blend of Emersonian and Hegelian flavors in American thought.
Communities Function Like Minds
- Josiah Royce argues communities can be treated as minds because we ascribe goals, histories, and moral qualities to them.
- This lets communities produce languages, customs, and shared interpretations that exceed any single individual's mind.
Non‑Mystical Community Agency
- Royce seeks to demystify mystical accounts by treating communities as organic, non-metaphysical forms of life.
- He grounds the community's agency in shared social expression rather than positing a new metaphysical substance.
