Action (Volume 14) (Central Problems of Philosophy) - Softcover

Stout, Rowland

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0773530495 ISBN 13: 9780773530492

Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press, 2006

Synopsis

By focusing on the idea that agency involves causal sensitivity to reasons, Rowland Stout shows how agency is one of the most useful ways into the philosophy of mind: if one can understand what it is to be a free and rational agent, then one can understand what it is to be a conscious subject of experience. Some of the questions considered include: Is all action intentional action? Is intentional action characterized by its relation with possible justification? Do beliefs motivate actions or do facts? What is the nature of the causal process of acting? Are intentions independent components in the explanation of action? The traditional Davidsonian agenda remains central but Stout locates it historically in relation to the ideas of Aristotle and Kant as well as current issues of interest such as externalism, moving the debate beyond Davidson. This fresh and engaging introduction to the many philosophical problems associated with agency is ideally suited for the study of the philosophy of action, philosophy of mind, and metaphysics.

About this title

About the Author:

Rowland Stout is lecturer in philosophy, University College Dublin.

Review:

"... Stout writes clearly and energetically, his arguments are extremely lucid, and his examples engaging. He presents some of the most important topics related to action theory in a fair and accurate manner, and offers a number of insightful discussions of the views of others. Its thoughtfulness and originality should spark new debates. Anybody interested in the philosophy of action and its explanation would do well to read this book." - Times Literary Supplement

About this edition

• Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0773530495
• ISBN 13: 9780773530492
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 176