Social Metaphysics

Few would dispute that Mount Everest exists and is 8,848 meters high, dogs are mammals with four legs, and that Usain Bolt holds the world record for the 100 meters. None of these facts depends on our point of view. The social world, however, is a much more puzzling place. Driving licenses, marriages and five dollar bills may also be facts, but their status as such depends on the complex set of social beliefs joint actions we attach to them.