Philosophy of Action

obowiązkowe

Celem zajęć jest wprowadzenie w problematykę współczesnej filozofii działania – zarysowanie zarówno podstawowych podejść teoretycznych jak i zagadnień podejmowanych przez filozofów działania.

The notion of action constitutes a bridge between the physical and the rational. When John reaches out to press a switch, his physical movement might embody a great deal of thought and deliberation. Indeed, one of the possible consequences of John’s action might be the destruction of humankind. His action might be intentional. He might be responsible for it. The notion of action is entangled in the conceptual network of moral, psychological, social, biological and physical theories.

The purpose of the course is an introduction into contemporary philosophy of action. Its main aim is to answer the problem of the nature of action, which is epitomized by Wittgenstein’s question: What is the difference between my raising my arm and my arm going up. The course includes such topics as: Logical Connection Argument, Contextualism, Anscombe’s Theory, Davidson’s Causal Theory and Its Problems, The Debate on Action Individuation, Hornsby’s Theory, Agent Causation Theory, Agent Control Theory, Responsibilism, Bratman’s Theory of Intention, The Problem of Action Naturalization, Subintentional and Group Actions.

Textbooks:

Davis L.H., 1979, Theory of Action, Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall.

Moya C.J., 1990, The Philosophy of Action, Cambridge: Polity Press.

Stout R., 2005, Action, Chesham: Acumen.

Collections:

Hyman J., Steward H. (red.), 2004, Agency and Action, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Mele A.R. (red.), 1997, The Philosophy of Action, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

O'Connor T., Sandis C. (red.), 2010, A Companion to Philosophy of Action, Oxford: Basil Blackwell.

Sandis C. (red.), 2009, New Essays on the Explanation of Action, New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

Dancy, J., Sandis, C. (red.), Philosophy of Action: An Anthology, Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.

White A.R. (red.), 1968, The Philosophy of Action, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Student:

- knows the main positions in contemporary philosophy of action

- knows the main arguments in the debates in philosophy of action

- understands the relations between philosophy of action and other philosophical disciplines: ethics, ontology, epistemology

- is able to briefly explain a problem in writing

- is able to reconstruct arguments for basic positions in philosophy of action

- is open to discussion and to new ideas

- is prepared to listen to a person with a different point of view

The grade will be based the final written exam (to be given on the last day of class).

The best way to prepare for the final exam is to answer all study questions. Study questions will be provided weekly or biweekly after the class meetings.

Acceptable number of missed classes without formal explanation: 2