Action theory (philosophy)

The philosophical theory of action (English Action theory ) deals with problems related to the action - especially human action - result. The philosophical sub-discipline asks what actions are and how to adequately describe and can be explained. The focus of contemporary debates are three thematic areas: the nature of actions, descriptions of actions and action statements. In particular, theories of action to deal with causes of actions and causes, with the relationship between events and actions, with intentions and intentional actions, with the logical form of action sentences, so-called basic actions and the search for an organizing principle of human action types. The relationship between the acting subject (English agent ) and the situation are frequently interested in the foreground.

Overview of the basic problems of the theory of action

From the actor is believed that he harbors desires (English desires ) and intentions (English intentions ) and opinions (English beliefs ) have about how to bring about the desired changes in the outside world in the given situation.

Many theories of action are aligned on the causal theory of action. It is assumed that each human action possess a cause and an effect in the physical world. There is also the possibility that mental events - which have no external physical effects (for example, solve a mathematical problem ) - can also be regarded as an action, as they can be successfully attempted. Reflexes and passive movements ( for example, " someone raises my arm " ) are not considered actions. There is a debate about how we need to be aware of our actions and their intentions, so that these can not be considered as intentional acts. For example, a disease Alien hand syndrome, in which a patient's hand targeted, but unintended by the patient movement sequences carried out, which can be interpreted by an outside observer as action.

A weakness of the causal theory of action, for example, the "problem of deviant causal chains ," in which the actor ( otherwise than provided ) summons the result of his intent to act randomly. Deviant causal chains can be bypassed by viewing actions as "intends, under a description ", that is, there may be different descriptions of one and the same action, of which a description contains the true intent of the actor.

History of the theory of action

Action Theoretical questions are - although the theory of action as defined philosophical discipline a creation of modernity is - since antiquity object of philosophical investigation. As the most important ancient author can be considered in this context, Aristotle, who begins his Nicomachean Ethics with investigations of terms such as "plot" and "target".

In this tradition, action-theoretical questions were often treated in the Middle Ages, among others, Thomas Aquinas, John Duns Scotus and William of Ockham. To these authors, it always went to theological questions, so issues such as determinism of actions as related to the theodicy problem were discussed.

Since about 1950, the theory of action became increasingly important during the development of the philosophy of mind. As a classic of contemporary debate Elizabeth Anscombe's monograph Intention and Donald Davidson's Essays on Actions and Events may be designated. While Anscombe on the philosophy of language -oriented approach of Ludwig Wittgenstein based reasons for action of causes to separate conceptually investigated Davidson denies that such a distinction. Robert Brandom built the linguistic analysis, speech act approach John Searle in the 1990s to its own corporate program, and Alvin I. Goldman developed social- epistemological theory of action. In addition, included in the 20 yrs. and the first decade of 21 yrs. Georg Henrik von Wright, Hector - Neri Castaneda, Michael Bratman, J. David Velleman, Judith Jarvis Thomson, Jonathan Bennett, Jennifer Hornsby, John Hyman, Maria Alvarez and Michael Thompson, each with a different focus to the central authors in the theory of action.

Basic distinctions are according to Aristotle, of practice and poiesis, or technical- practical and moral action for Kant or work / interaction, instrumental, strategic and communicative action by Habermas.

Relevance of the theory of action

The subdiscipline of action theory can be located at the interface between the theoretical and practical philosophy. It is relevant both for the philosophy of mind and certain questions of metaphysics as well as ethics.