Re: accounts and identity

Jon Epstein (epstein@wfu.edu)
Wed, 6 Mar 1996 15:59:11 -0500

At 14:39 06.03.96 -0600, you wrote:
>On Wed, 6 Mar 1996, elizabeth ann simmons wrote:
>
>> 1) The entire section of accounts and justifications startled me. Is
>> there anything you can't account for?
>>
>My interpretation of the reading lead me to believe that no, there isn't
>any thing that you cant account for. You can account for any action that
>you want to (but you usually only pick the ones that interupt the normal
>continuity of interaction). Although you can account for anything, the
>point is that your account might not be honored. i can account for
>murdering somebody coldheartedly but the chances are that my account will
>not be honored.
>ginger

This is correct. Another, related, point is examining what
behaviors and actions require accounts, and under what
circumstances one may be held accountable for their actions.

While it's fairly obvious (Donna I think it's catchy), I'd like to point out
that behaviors which require accounts are generally those
behaviors which are considered "deviant." Presumably one does not
have to account for "normal" behavior.

Jon

Jonathon S. Epstein "I realize
Department of Sociology I hold the key
Wake Forest University to freedom, I
Winston Salem, N.C. 27109 cannot let my
(910)-759-5447 life be ruled
epstein@wfu.edu by threads."
Rocklist@sun.soci.niu.edu Marillion