Accessibility statement

Action & Agency - PHI00049H

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  • Department: Philosophy
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

In this module, we shall attempt to determine what is involved in talking of agency. How, for instance, are a person's actions related to his or her bodily movements? Are actions physical events or psychological events? How then are actions explained?

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

  • To provide an understanding of the nature of action.
  • To develop students' abilities to apply philosophical tools and techniques in order to advance understanding of intellectual problems.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students should be able to:

  • Explain the fundamental role of the notion of action in the philosophy of mind, and articulate the consequences of this fundamental role.
  • Explain the relation between actions and reasons.
  • Critically evaluate a variety of philosophical theses about action.

By the end of this module, students should have developed the following academic skills:

  • They should be able to read and critically engage with a wide range of complex and difficult philosophical material.
  • To develop and defend a considered view on the philosophy of action, in an extended piece of writing.

Module content

The notion of an action is a fundamental one in philosophy of mind as it is in moral philosophy and philosophy of law. In this module, we shall attempt to determine what is involved in talking of agency. How, for instance, are a person's actions related to his or her bodily movements? Are actions physical events or psychological events? How then are actions explained? We can, it seems, explain some’s acting in some way by citing their beliefs and desires but equally we can explain it by citing some non-psychological fact as the reason for which they acted. How do such different styles of explanation cohere? In addressing those questions we shall be concerned to explore what are reasons for action and what it is to act rationally.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

All feedback will be returned according to current University and Departmental policy.

Indicative reading

Jennifer Hornsby, Actions

Jonathan Dancy, Practical Reality

Joseph Raz, Engaging Reason


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.