Primitive Action: What it is, Why it is Significant, and Applications (PrimAct)

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Hong Yu Wong
• Subject Area: Theoretical Philosophy ; Practical Philosophy
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 541025663

Are there primitive actions – behaviour which is agentive, but which does not derive from the agent’s reasons? Tyler Burge (2009) and Helen Steward (2009a, 2012) have argued that certain examples of animal actions fall into this category. This question is of great significance for the philosophy of action, which has focused on how action is rational behaviour that derives from reason and reflection. Most discussions focus on acting on the basis of reasons – in particular, on how reasons explain actions. Almost all theories of action nowadays derive from the Anscombean or Davidsonian traditions which agree that reason is essential to action. The case of primitive agency is thus striking in challenging the core tenet of reasons being necessary for action. The existence of primitive actions would thus require a reorientation of the philosophy of action – with implications for key questions, such as whether a theory of action that is equally applicable to human and non-human animal action is possible. In light of this, we urgently need a systematic analysis of primitive action that would address the question of what primitive action is – in light of existing accounts of animal agency from action theory, animal behaviour research, and evolutionary theory. With primitive agency in mind, we need to re-examine the foundations of action theory, especially with respect to our understanding of the relation between reason and action and with respect to our understanding of the distinction between activity and passivity. Finally, we can draw on what we learn from primitive agency and apply this to understanding animal agency and artificial agency. This project (PrimAct) proposes to study primitive agency systematically, to reflect on its significance for action theory more generally, and to explore applications of a theory of primitive agency. Primitive agency has the potential to transform our understanding of the nature of agency.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: United Kingdom
• Co-Investigators: Professor Dr. Klaus Corcilius; Privatdozent Dr. Claudio Tennie
• Cooperation Partners: Professor Dr. Stephen Butterfill; Professorin Dr. Helen Steward