Philosophy of Action

monograficzne

Students ought to have some prior exposure to philosophy.

w sali

The purpose of the lecture is an introduction into contemporary philosophy of action. Its main aim is a survey of various answers to 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 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 lecture 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. We will consider such topics as: Logical Connection Argument, Contextualism, Anscombe’s Theory, Davidson’s Causal Theory and Its Problems, The Debate on Action Individuation, Volitionalism, 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.

Wiedza

- ma uporządkowaną wiedzę szczegółową w ramach współczesnej filozofii działania

- zna podstawowe metody badawcze i strategie argumentacyjne właściwe dla współczesnej filozofii działania

Umiejętność

- rozpoznaje związek filozofii działania z innymi dziedzinami filozofii: etyką, ontologią oraz epistemologią

- potrafi zwięźle przedstawić problem na piśmie wraz z argumentacją na rzecz jego rozwiązania

- przytacza główne tezy czytanych tekstów i potrafi krytycznie odnieść się do zawartej w nich argumentacji

- czyta i interpretuje tekst filozoficzny

Kompetencje społeczne

- potrafi w jasny i zrozumiały sposób prezentować swoje poglądy grupie

- potrafi wysłuchać osobę o odmiennych poglądach i w sposób merytoryczny odnieść się do jej przekonań

Timely and fully conscious attendance is a prerequisite of passing the course (no more than 3 absences are allowed). No excuses are necessary or expected.

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