In philosophy, action has developed into a sub-field called philosophy of action. Action is what an agent can do.
For example, throwing a ball is an instance of action; it involves an intention, a goal, and a bodily movement guided by the agent. On the other hand, catching a cold is not considered an action because it is something which happens to a person, not something done by one. Generally an agent doesn't intend to catch a cold or engage in bodily movement to do so (though we might be able to conceive of such a case). Other events are less clearly defined as actions or not. For instance, distractedly drumming ones fingers on the table seems to fall somewhere in the middle. Deciding to do something might be considered a mental action by some. However, others[who?] think it is not an action unless the decision is carried out. Unsuccessfully trying to do something might also not be considered an action for similar reasons (for e.g. lack of bodily movement). It is contentious whether believing, intending, and thinking are actions since they are mental events.
Some would prefer to define actions as requiring bodily movement (see behaviorism). The side-effects of actions are considered by some to be part of the action; in an example from Anscombe's manuscript Intention, pumping water can also be an instance of poisoning the inhabitants. This introduces a moral dimension to the discussion (see also Moral agency). If the poisoned water resulted in a death, that death might be considered part of the action of the agent that pumped the water. Whether a side-effect is considered part of an action is especially unclear in cases in which the agent isn't aware of the possible side effects. For example, an agent that accidentally cures a person by administering a poison he was intending to kill him with.
A primary concern of philosophy of action is to analyze the nature of actions and distinguish them from similar phenomena. Other concerns include individuating actions, explaining the relationship between actions and their effects, explaining how an action is related to the beliefs and desires which cause and/or justify it (see practical reason), as well as examining the nature of agency. A primary concern is the nature of free will and whether actions are determined by the mental states that precede them (see determinism). Some philosophers (e.g. Donald Davidson) have argued that the mental states the agent invokes as justifying his action are physical states that cause the action. Problems have been raised for this view because the mental states seem to be reduce to mere physical causes. Their mental properties don't seem to be doing any work. If the reasons an agent cites as justifying his action, however, are not the cause of the action, they must explain the action in some other way or be causally impotent.
See also
References
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External links
- Action entry in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy by George Wilson
Categories: Determinism | Free will | Motion | Action | Metaphysics
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Elias Siam 24 has only been training with us at Revolution Dojo for Three months but already has a great deal of martial arts and competition experience In addition to being very involved with the gym as an assistant trainer Elias is currently building a set of cubby holes in the corner of the gym He took a minute to tell us about his philosophy towards martial arts his injury that put him out of action for almost two years and a really bad pro fight in Mexico elias siam elias Siam 24 has only been training with us at Revolution Dojo for Three months but already has a great deal of martial arts and competition experience In addition to being very involved with the gym as an assistant trainer Elias is currently building a set of cubby holes in the corner of the gym He took a minute to tell us about his philosophy towards martial arts his injury that put him out of action for almost two years and a really bad pro fight in Mexico elias siam
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Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:21:28 GM
"You should've chosen my sister. You're already dead." District B13 is unadulterated . action. porn. It's a series. ... For the film's opening sequence, David Belle employs his own . philosophy. of Parkour - i.e. the art of navigating urban spaces quickly and gracefully by overcoming physical obstacles in the quickest and most direct manner possible. The man races across rooftops, slides down railings and crashes through a miniscule window above a door - just to name a few of ...
Q. Gandhi believed one should not use force to overpower the opponent but make him change his mind by his own will through the appeal of his own conscience. He believed that one should focus our effort on making the other guy aware of the consequences of his actions and he will change. He believed man act evil when they are not aware or fully conscious of the consequences of their actions, to combat evil we should aim to raise consciousness. What are your thoughts on this philosophy?
Asked by Sensei114 - Wed Jun 24 11:10:23 2009 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments
A. A limited philosophy that only works in democratic nations that have ideals they're not living up too. Gandhi beat the British because he exposed to them that they were not living up their own notions of justice. The philosophy worked for Martin Luther King because America's treatment of blacks didn't measure up the ideals America believed in as American. It's a philosophy that works when the exposure of the reality forces one to acknowledge that one is not living up to their own ideals. But what would have happened if Nazi Germany ruled India -- Gandhi would have been made into a lampshade. When the ideals one tries to live up to are evil, exposure of that evil will not help the person exposing it.
Answered by Mountain Dweller - Wed Jun 24 12:29:17 2009
