Intentions and Other Symbolic Contributions to Society

Abstract

Much of human social behavior in modern societies entails symbolic contributions. According to the concept introduced here, symbolic contributions serve a substitute function, allowing individuals to continue to be accepted by society even when they are incapable of direct, or so-called “actual” contributions (e.g., math skills, language skills, social and moral competence). Symbolic contributions, such as verbal statements of intention to act, become necessary psychologically when the person lacks training/experience or is not free to act. Thus, lack of ability or absence of occasion to act leads to adopting symbolic forms of contributions. Correspondingly, people would not take these symbolic routes if they were competent, experienced, and in contexts that enabled them to act directly.