PHIL 149 JT - Topics in Philosophy: Agency and Action

The distinction we draw between what we do and what we undergo—between the active and the passive in our lives—is fundamental to our self-understanding. In this course we investigate the nature of and the puzzles and problems associated with agency and action. Topics to be considered will be drawn from: the causal theory of action, reasons explanation and the role of the normative in the understanding of action, the will and weakness of will, the relation between intention and action, mental action and mental agency, and the relevance of work in the cognitive and the neurosciences to an understanding of agency. This course should be of interest to students of the social, cognitive, and behavioral sciences as well as to students of philosophy.

Prerequisite(s): One course in philosophy.
Course Credit: 1.0

Please refer to the course schedule on the Scripps Portal for current course offerings and details.