Mental Action

Thinking is something you do. It is something you can do intentionally, for particular reasons. It can be successful or unsuccessful. It can be effortful, and it can feel that way. All of these are possible features of mental actions: things you do in thought. In this seminar, we will explore the nature of mental action and its importance to mental metaphysics and epistemology. Why do we think we have the capacity to act in thought? What are the constraints on that agency? What kinds of mental actions can we perform intentionally? Are those actions freely willed? Are they voluntary? What kind of responsibility do we bear for them? What kind of knowledge do we have of them? 2 unit option for Philosophy PhD students beyond the second year only.