See module specification for other years:
2022-232023-24
Module summary
In this module, we shall attempt to determine what is involved in talking of agency. How, for instance, are a person's actions related to his or her bodily movements? Are actions physical events or psychological events? How then are actions explained?
Module will run
Occurrence
Teaching cycle
A
Autumn Term 2021-22
Module aims
To provide an understanding of the nature of action.
To develop students' abilities to apply philosophical tools and techniques in order to advance understanding of intellectual problems.
Module learning outcomes
Subject content
To show how the notion of an action is fundamental to the philosophy of mind; to understand the implications of this, and to understand the relation between actions and reasons
Academic and graduate skills
Be able to read and critically engage with a wide range of complex and difficult philosophical material.
To develop and be able to defend a considered view on complex and difficult material
Module content
The notion of an action is a fundamental one in philosophy of mind as it is in moral philosophy and philosophy of law. In this module, we shall attempt to determine what is involved in talking of agency. How, for instance, are a person's actions related to his or her bodily movements? Are actions physical events or psychological events? How then are actions explained? We can, it seems, explain some’s acting in some way by citing their beliefs and desires but equally we can explain it by citing some non-psychological fact as the reason for which they acted. How do such different styles of explanation cohere? In addressing those questions we shall be concerned to explore what are reasons for action and what it is to act rationally.
Assessment
Task
Length
% of module mark
Essay/coursework Essay 4000 words
N/A
100
Special assessment rules
None
Reassessment
Task
Length
% of module mark
Essay/coursework Essay 4000 words
N/A
100
Module feedback
Feedback on the formative work, to be received 2 weeks after submission