A Theory of Social Action

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Political
Cover of the book A Theory of Social Action by R. Tuomela, Springer Netherlands
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: R. Tuomela ISBN: 9789400963177
Publisher: Springer Netherlands Publication: December 6, 2012
Imprint: Springer Language: English
Author: R. Tuomela
ISBN: 9789400963177
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Publication: December 6, 2012
Imprint: Springer
Language: English

It is somewhat surprising to find out how little serious theorizing there is in philosophy (and in social psychology as well as sociology) on the nature of social actions or joint act. hons in the sense of actions performed together by several agents. Actions performed by single agents have been extensively discussed both in philosophy and in psycho~ogy. There is, ac­ cordingly, a booming field called action theory in philosophy but it has so far strongly concentrated on actions performed by single agents only. We of course should not forget game theory, a discipline that systematically studies the strategic interac­ tion between several rational agents. Yet this important theory, besides being restricted to strongly rational acting, fails to study properly several central problems related to the concep­ tual nature of social action. Thus, it does not adequately clarify and classify the various types of joint action (except perhaps from the point of view of the agents' utilities). This book presents a systematic theory of social action. Because of its reliance on so-called purposive causation and generation it is called the purposive-causal theory. This work also discusses several problems related to the topic of social action, for instance that of how to create from this perspective the most central concepts needed by social psychology and soci­ ology. While quite a lot of ground is covered in the book, many important questions have been left unanswered and many others unasked as well.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

It is somewhat surprising to find out how little serious theorizing there is in philosophy (and in social psychology as well as sociology) on the nature of social actions or joint act. hons in the sense of actions performed together by several agents. Actions performed by single agents have been extensively discussed both in philosophy and in psycho~ogy. There is, ac­ cordingly, a booming field called action theory in philosophy but it has so far strongly concentrated on actions performed by single agents only. We of course should not forget game theory, a discipline that systematically studies the strategic interac­ tion between several rational agents. Yet this important theory, besides being restricted to strongly rational acting, fails to study properly several central problems related to the concep­ tual nature of social action. Thus, it does not adequately clarify and classify the various types of joint action (except perhaps from the point of view of the agents' utilities). This book presents a systematic theory of social action. Because of its reliance on so-called purposive causation and generation it is called the purposive-causal theory. This work also discusses several problems related to the topic of social action, for instance that of how to create from this perspective the most central concepts needed by social psychology and soci­ ology. While quite a lot of ground is covered in the book, many important questions have been left unanswered and many others unasked as well.

More books from Springer Netherlands

Cover of the book Family Planning by R. Tuomela
Cover of the book Climate Change and Food Security in West Asia and North Africa by R. Tuomela
Cover of the book Faculty Development in the Health Professions by R. Tuomela
Cover of the book Sociocultural Studies and Implications for Science Education by R. Tuomela
Cover of the book Group Theory Applied to Chemistry by R. Tuomela
Cover of the book Water and Nutrient Management in Natural and Constructed Wetlands by R. Tuomela
Cover of the book Biological Oceanography of the Baltic Sea by R. Tuomela
Cover of the book Writing and Learning in the Science Classroom by R. Tuomela
Cover of the book Elements of Structural Geology by R. Tuomela
Cover of the book Developments in Soil Salinity Assessment and Reclamation by R. Tuomela
Cover of the book Proceedings of the Boston Colloquium for the Philosophy of Science 1966/1968 by R. Tuomela
Cover of the book Lipid-mediated Protein Signaling by R. Tuomela
Cover of the book European Emigration Overseas Past and Future by R. Tuomela
Cover of the book Smart and Flexible Digital-to-Analog Converters by R. Tuomela
Cover of the book Deep Marine Mineral Resources by R. Tuomela
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy