The Phenomenology of Agency
Article first published online: 9 JAN 2008
DOI: 10.1111/j.1747-9991.2007.00122.x
© 2008 The Author
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How to Cite
Bayne, T. (2008), The Phenomenology of Agency. Philosophy Compass, 3: 182–202. doi: 10.1111/j.1747-9991.2007.00122.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 9 JAN 2008
- Article first published online: 9 JAN 2008
- Philosophy Compass 3/1 (2008): 182–202, 10.1111/j.1747-9991.2007.00122.x
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Abstract
This paper provides an overview of recent discussions of the phenomenology of agency. By ‘the phenomenology of agency’ I mean those phenomenal states that are associated with first-person agency. I call such states ‘agentive experiences’. After briefly defending the claim that there is a phenomenology distinctive of first-person agency, I focus on two questions: (i) What is the structure of agentive experience? (ii) What is the representational content of agentive experience? I conclude with a brief examination of how agentive experiences might be generated and what role they might play in the subject's cognitive economy.