Declarations can create obligations or commitments from "summary" of How to Do Things with Words by John Langshaw Austin,J. L. Austin
When we make declarations, we are not merely stating facts or describing reality. We are performing a certain type of speech act that can have significant consequences. Declarations have the power to create obligations or commitments for the speaker and the listener. This means that when we declare something, we are not just making a statement, but we are also binding ourselves or others to certain courses of action. For example, when a judge declares someone guilty in a court of law, this declaration creates an obligation for the accused to face consequences for their actions. Similarly, when we make promises or commitments in everyday life, we are creating obligations for ourselves to follow through on our words. Declarations, therefore, have the power to shape our future actions and interactions with others. The key idea here is that declarations are not just words; they are performative acts that have the ability to change the social reality in which we live. By making a declaration, we are not simply describing the world as it is, but we are also bringing about a new state of affairs. This is why declarations are so powerful and why they can have such a profound impact on our lives. In order to understand the full implications of this concept, we must recognize the dual nature of declarations. On the one hand, they are linguistic acts that involve the use of words and language. But on the other hand, they are also social acts that can affect the relationships and responsibilities that we have with others. Declarations, therefore, have both a symbolic and a practical dimension that must be taken into account.- Declarations are not just empty words; they are powerful tools that can create obligations and commitments for both the speaker and the listener. By understanding the performative nature of declarations, we can appreciate the ways in which language can shape our social reality and influence our actions.
