Shotter’s legacy

Abstract

In order to mark the significance of John Shotter’s life and work, this paper sets out and reflects upon two of his central concepts and emphasises their ongoing relevance. Shotter’s work is first situated in its intellectual and cultural-historical contexts. His linked concepts of ‘joint action’ and ‘knowing of the third kind’ are then briefly explained, and their relevance for recent social science developments including the ‘new materialism’ and the ‘affective turn’ is highlighted. We conclude that, in these turbulent times, Shotter’s is a legacy of hopeful aspiration.