Groups as Agents

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Epistemology
Cover of the book Groups as Agents by Deborah Perron Tollefsen, Wiley
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Deborah Perron Tollefsen ISBN: 9780745684871
Publisher: Wiley Publication: June 3, 2015
Imprint: Polity Language: English
Author: Deborah Perron Tollefsen
ISBN: 9780745684871
Publisher: Wiley
Publication: June 3, 2015
Imprint: Polity
Language: English

In the social sciences and in everyday speech we often talk about groups as if they behaved in the same way as individuals, thinking and acting as a singular being. We say for example that "Google intends to develop an automated car", "the U.S. Government believes that Syria has used chemical weapons on its people", or that "the NRA wants to protect the rights of gun owners". We also often ascribe legal and moral responsibility to groups. But could groups literally intend things? Is there such a thing as a collective mind? If so, should groups be held morally responsible? Such questions are of vital importance to our understanding of the social world.

In this lively, engaging introduction Deborah Tollefsen offers a careful survey of contemporary philosophers? answers to these questions, and argues for the unorthodox view that certain groups should, indeed, be treated as agents and deserve to be held morally accountable. Tollefsen explores the nature of belief, action and intention, and shows the reader how a belief in group agency can be reconciled with our understanding of individual agency and accountability.

Groups as Agents will be a vital resource for scholars as well as for students of philosophy and the social sciences encountering the topic for the first time.

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

In the social sciences and in everyday speech we often talk about groups as if they behaved in the same way as individuals, thinking and acting as a singular being. We say for example that "Google intends to develop an automated car", "the U.S. Government believes that Syria has used chemical weapons on its people", or that "the NRA wants to protect the rights of gun owners". We also often ascribe legal and moral responsibility to groups. But could groups literally intend things? Is there such a thing as a collective mind? If so, should groups be held morally responsible? Such questions are of vital importance to our understanding of the social world.

In this lively, engaging introduction Deborah Tollefsen offers a careful survey of contemporary philosophers? answers to these questions, and argues for the unorthodox view that certain groups should, indeed, be treated as agents and deserve to be held morally accountable. Tollefsen explores the nature of belief, action and intention, and shows the reader how a belief in group agency can be reconciled with our understanding of individual agency and accountability.

Groups as Agents will be a vital resource for scholars as well as for students of philosophy and the social sciences encountering the topic for the first time.

More books from Wiley

Cover of the book Classical Methods in Structure Elucidation of Natural Products by Deborah Perron Tollefsen
Cover of the book Construction Innovation by Deborah Perron Tollefsen
Cover of the book A Textbook of Neuroanatomy by Deborah Perron Tollefsen
Cover of the book Leadership by Engineers and Scientists by Deborah Perron Tollefsen
Cover of the book Jewish Memory And the Cosmopolitan Order by Deborah Perron Tollefsen
Cover of the book A Companion to Religion in Late Antiquity by Deborah Perron Tollefsen
Cover of the book Principles of Solar Cells, LEDs and Diodes by Deborah Perron Tollefsen
Cover of the book Call Centers For Dummies by Deborah Perron Tollefsen
Cover of the book The Market Guys' Five Points for Trading Success by Deborah Perron Tollefsen
Cover of the book Extremism and the Psychology of Uncertainty by Deborah Perron Tollefsen
Cover of the book Excel 2016 Bible by Deborah Perron Tollefsen
Cover of the book Fundamentals of Medical-Surgical Nursing by Deborah Perron Tollefsen
Cover of the book Designing the Smart Organization by Deborah Perron Tollefsen
Cover of the book Die Billionen-Schuldenbombe by Deborah Perron Tollefsen
Cover of the book Hacking Sales by Deborah Perron Tollefsen
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