The Actor and the Spectator
Foundations of the Theory of Human Action
Lewis White Beck(Author)
St Augustine's Press
Published on 1. March 1998
Book
Paperback/Softback
152 pages
978-1-85506-557-4 (ISBN)
Description
Can a machine think? More so, if I am a machine, can I think? This book attempts to answer these questions by analyzing two clusters of metaphors: one of which dramatizes human beings as spontaneous agents (actors), and the other which sees human beings as observers attempting to causally explain their own behaviour and that of the actor (spectators). Using a hypothetical scene with two spectators, each explaining an action, and each representing a different way of viewing the world, the book points up the central philosophical problems raised by the varieties of ways in which we explain our own actions and that of others. The text offers an argument for freedom in human action and sketches the way in which people, both actors and spectators, may behave morally and freely in the world.
Reviews / Votes
'This is a cheerful, vigorous, and highly intelligent little book, which says that people are not machines. . . . Beck's attitude to his opponents' case is patient, generous, and urbane.' - Mary Midgley '[F]ull of insights and fruitful suggestions.' - Stephan K?rner, TLSMore details
Series
Edition
New edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Indiana
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Edition type
New edition
Dimensions
Height: 220 mm
Thickness: 9 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-85506-557-4 (9781855065574)
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Schweitzer Classification