What are we saying when we say “we”?

Abstract

Regarding the problem of identity, Robert Brandom asks, “What does it mean to say ‘we’?” In his work Making It Explicit, he proposes setting aside arbitrary distinctions based on biology, culture, and prejudice, and instead focusing on the practical conditions that allow someone to say “we.” These conditions relate to what we can do, rather than questions like where we come from or what we are made of. Brandom illustrates his argument with linguistic examples and everyday situations, showing how the use of “we” implies a series of shared presuppositions and expectations. For example, when we say, “we believe that” not only is a shared belief implied, but also a commitment to the values and principles that underpin that belief. Furthermore, he examines how the use of “we” can vary according to social and cultural context. What it symbolizes to be part of a “we” in one culture can differ markedly from what it means in another; this highlights the dynamic and contextual nature of language and collective identity. A community is a “we” insofar as it is legitimized by its own norms; its recognition is not based exclusively on biological factors or historical presuppositions, but primarily on the recognition of implicit practices that become explicit in norms. This is what constitutes community discourse: agreeing with the reasons given for these norms. The purpose of this work is to demonstrate that “we” is not simply a descriptive term but also implies a normative dimension. By using this pronoun, we affirm our belongings to a group and accept certain norms and responsibilities associated with it. To say “we” is to assume a series of commitments that are not only linguistic, but also practical and, therefore, normative.