Action Theory (philosophy)

Action Theory (philosophy)

Action theory is an area in philosophy concerned with theories about the processes causing willful human bodily movements of more or less complex kind. This area of thought has attracted the strong interest of philosophers ever since Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics (Third Book). With the advent of psychology and later neuroscience, many theories of action are now subject to empirical testing.

Philosophical action theory, or the philosophy of action, should not be confused with sociological theories of social action, such as the action theory established by Talcott Parsons.

What is left over if I subtract the fact that my arm goes up from the fact that I raise my arm?

Ludwig Wittgenstein, Philosophical Investigations ยง621

Read more about Action Theory (philosophy):  Overview, Discussion, Scholars of Action Theory

Famous quotes containing the words action and/or theory:

    Economic depression can not be cured by legislative action or executive pronouncement.
    Herbert Hoover (1874–1964)

    Psychotherapy—The theory that the patient will probably get well anyway, and is certainly a damned ijjit.
    —H.L. (Henry Lewis)