Abstract
Dualistic modes of thought that polarize society and individual are deeply rooted in social science. Is there any way to go beyond these oppositions convincingly? Here I examine the concept of agency as a step towards answering this question. The discussion initially covers the body of theory on ritual stimulated by the central concept of performativity in J. L. AUSTIN'S theory of speech acts as developed by TAMBIAH, AHERN, and BLOCH. Then, on the way to conceptualizing the subject/agent, I discuss ALTHUSSER'S concept of the subject and BUTLER'S arguments on "interpellation" or performativity in every day life. Finally, after clarifying problems arising from the concept of "community of practice," I advocate the alternative idea of "community of performativity."
