My SI class has asked me to post a question or two from our class
reading in order to help them think about their weekly position
papers. Our text is still Joel Charon. 1995. Symbolic Interaction.
Here goes:
The book makes a distinction between objects, social objects, and symbols.
How are these concepts related, and how can they be exclusive of
one another. Is there such a thing as a "pure" object? A "pure" symbol?
What happens during the transformation of an object into a symbol?
Is the meaning of a social object in it's symbolic use value or in it's
objective value? Can these things be opposed?
Symbolic interaction is based on the assumption that
we orient ourselves towards others on the basis of their status as objects.
Can we also orient ourselves towards others according to their
symbolic status?
Hope this helps.
Jon