Agency & Action - PHI00082M

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Module summary

We shall investigate the nature of agency and human action.

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Semester 1 2025-26

Module aims

The module will introduce students to central topics in the philosophy of action, particularly those do with the individuation of action (what actions are), the explanation of action, and the notion of a reason for action. Philosophy of Action cuts across Metaphysics, Philosophy of Mind and Ethics and the module will reflect that. In the seminars we shall be looking in detail at key papers and this will deepen students’ ability to engage in close reading of philosophical arguments. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module students should be able to understand contemporary debates in central areas of the Philosophy of Action and engage critically with a philosophical literature that is both rigorous and subtle.

Module content

Indicative topics are as follows:

• What are actions?

• The individuations of actions

• Primary-reason explanations

• Internal and external reasons

• Motivated and unmotivated desires

• The classical theory of agency

• Normative and motivating reasons

Indicative assessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

The formative critical summary is due for submission in Week 9 of the Autumn Term.

The summative essay is due for submission on Monday Week 2 of the Spring Term.

Indicative reassessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100

Module feedback

Students will receive feedback on formative work before the end of the term in which the module is taught.

Students will receive feedback on summative work 4 weeks after submission.

Indicative reading

Donald Davidson, Essays on Actions and Events (1980)

Jennifer Hornsby, Actions (1980)

Jonathan Dancy, Practical Reality (2000)