Things That Happen Because They Should
A Teleological Approach to Action
Published on 24. October 1996
Book
Hardback
200 pages
978-0-19-824063-1 (ISBN)
Description
Philosophers have usually argued that the right way to explain people's actions is in terms of their beliefs and intentions rather than in terms of objective facts. Rowland Stout takes the opposite line in his account of action. Appeal to teleology is widely regarded with suspicion, but Dr Stout argues that there are things in nature, namely actions, which can be teleologically explained: they happen because they serve some end. Moreover, this teleological explanation is externalist: it cites facts about the world, not beliefs and intentions which only represent the world. Such externalism about the explanation of action is a natural partner to externalism about knowledge and about reference, but has hardly ever been considered seriously before. One dramatic consequence of such a position is that it opens up the possibility of a behaviourist account of beliefs and intentions.
Reviews / Votes
clearly and skillfully argued and is a major contribution to action theory and teleological explanation. Unlike many authors in the field, Stout is thoroughly acquainted with many nuances in the vast literature of causal and teleological explanation. Highly recommended. * Choice * This book presents a new theory of action according to which the teleological character of an action constitutes it as an action./ ... Stout's theory appears to be a rather powerful one. With a flexible notion of process, he is able to explain how actions are not just isolated events but rather fit 'inside' one another such that one can provide goals and justifications for others .../ ... the book certainly merits the close reading it requires and will undoubtedly leave its mark on contemporary discussions of action. Its chief contribution will be to turn the discussions of action toward a more classical and, more importantly, a richer understanding of human agency./ David M. Gallagher, Catholic University of America/ International Philosophical Quarterly/ Vol 39, No. 1, March 1999.More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 222 mm
Width: 145 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
390 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-824063-1 (9780198240631)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Rowland Stout is Fellow and Tutor in Philosophy at Oriel College, Oxford. He was previously Lecturer in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence at the Polytechnic of the South Bank, London; Research Fellow in Philosophy at the University of Leeds; and Lecturer in Philosophy at Merton College, Oxford.
Content
Introduction ; 1. The Possibility of Externalist Explanation of Action ; 2. Causal Explanation ; 3. Teleological Explanation ; 4. Practical Justification ; 5. Agency ; References ; Index