Analytical Philosophy of Action

by Arthur C. Danto

• ISBN13: 9780521117517
• ISBN10: 0521117518
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-07-30
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

A study of the philosophical problems associated with the concept of action. Professor Danto is concerned to isolate logically the notion of a 'basic action' and to examine the way in which context and intention, for example, can convert physiological movements into significant actions. He finds many suggestive parallels between the concepts - the logical architecture - of action and cognition and in developing this theme he becomes involved in and proposes new approaches to various long-standing problems connected with causality, determinism and materialism. As in his earlier books, Analytical Philosophy of History and Analytical Philosophy of Knowledge, Professor Danto places the discussion in a broad historical and philosophical perspective and brings to it a wide reading and an unusual range of interests. He is always prepared to venture novel ideas to stimulate further debate and research and the book as a whole is presented as an original contribution to a subject which is attracting increasing attention from philosophers and from psychologists with an interest in the conceptual assumptions behind their work.

Table of Contents

Preface

Knowledge and action

Basic actions and basic cognitions

Basic actions and psychological processes

Causality and basic actions

Gifts

Feelings and forbearances

Freedom

Notes

Index

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