Buch, Englisch, 232 Seiten, Print PDF, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 235 mm
A Philosophical Exploration
Buch, Englisch, 232 Seiten, Print PDF, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 235 mm
ISBN: 978-0-19-783806-8
Verlag: Oxford University Press
This book provides a philosophical development of the idea of expressive action. Expressive actions are symbolic actions that mark situations as in some way significant. In expressive action, the symbolism is not arbitrary in relation to what is being marked; rather the symbols speak in some way to the significant features of the situation being marked. A crucial task for the theory of expressive action is to explain what is going on when we engage in such actions. This is the Explanation Question. Many writers have found it difficult, at least on the face of it, to articulate a point to expressive action. The other central question addressed in this book is the Question of Reflective Endorsement: once we know what we are doing when we engage in expressive action, is it something we can continue to regard as worthwhile given the costs involved in it?
Christopher Bennett argues that the most adequate answer to the Explanation Question is that in paradigm cases of expressive action we are acting on a distinctive evaluative conception: what he calls the conception of expressive reasons. We take ourselves to have good reason to mark situations through actions in which we attempt to capture, or embody, the significance of the situation. Expressive reasons are a distinctive category of normative reasons. We have good grounds, Bennett argues, to regard them as authoritative standards for the governance of action. On this basis, Bennett claims, we can give a positive answer to the Question of Reflective Endorsement. Bennett also looks at the way in which social conventions, obligations and emotions can be illuminated as forms of engagement with expressive reasons.
Autoren/Hrsg.
Weitere Infos & Material
- Introduction
- Part I. The Problem of Expressive Action
- Chapter 1: Why We Need a Theory of Expressive Action
- Chapter 2: Why We Don't Yet Have a Good Theory of Expressive Action
- Part II. A Theory of Expressive Action
- Chapter 3: Marking a Significant Situation
- Chapter 4: The Expressive Reasons Explanation
- Chapter 5: Correspondences
- Chapter 6: Can We Endorse Expressive Reasons on Reflection?
- Part III. Engaging With Expressive Reasons
- Chapter 7: Expressive Conventions
- Chapter 8: Expressive Obligations
- Chapter 9: Expressive Emotions: The Inner Life of Expressive Action
