Action, Action-Theory

Synonyms

Action; Behavior; Doing; Action-theory; Philosophy of action

Definition

Usually an action is defined as something which is done by an agent for a reason, where the reason explains the action. But here, at the latest, agreement comes to an end and various action-theories start.

Description of the Theory

There is no single action-theory but a variety of theories which address a number of closely interrelated topics that shape what is usually called philosophy of action. Although many of these topics had already been discussed in traditional philosophy (notably by Aristotle, Hume, Kant), these discussions were then usually regarded as part of moral philosophy. Philosophy of action as a discipline of its own came up in the middle of the twentieth century (helpful collections of classical papers in action theory are [1,2]).

The Central Question: What are Actions?

The main target of any action-theory is to give an adequate account of what actions are. An action is something we do,...