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Productive being : the continuity between life and action

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Thesis-Mirko-Prokop-complete-version.pdf (1.519Mb)
Thesis-Mirko-Prokop-complete-version.docx (658.5Kb)
Date
30/11/2022
Author
Prokop, Mirko Alexander
Supervisor
Wheeler, Michael
Funder
University of St Andrews
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
Grant ID
Accommodation Award, Academic Year 2020/1
DAAD Scholarship ID: 57503736
Keywords
Philosophy of mind
Enactivism
Agency
Autonomy
Philosophy of biology
Autopoiesis
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Abstract
What is the relationship between life and agency? Are all agents necessarily living organisms? How are we to understand the phenomena of life and action? This thesis aims to answer these questions against the background of the autopoietic enactive approach in cognitive science. I develop a general conception of productive beings as systems capable of engaging in productive processes. A productive process is understood as a purposive, end-directed kind of self-movement whose cause or source lies in the subject which engages in the process. I argue that the capacity of productive systems to engage in productive processes is inextricably tied to their nature as materially precarious systems. In other words, the autonomous form of productive beings cannot be understood without reference to their materially fragile realisation. I then argue that, given an enactive conception of life and precariousness, productive systems must be understood as living systems. Since agents, on the developed view, are productive systems, I conclude that life is necessary for agency, from an enactive viewpoint. The understanding of this continuity between life and action is explored, throughout the thesis, from different perspectives. Apart from a careful examination of enactive concepts and proposals, the discussion engages Elizabeth Anscombe’s work on agency, Michael Thompson’s reflections on life-forms, Philippa Foot’s notion of natural goodness, Hans Jonas’ philosophy of biology, and Aristotle’s conception of the relationship between form and matter.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.17630/sta/321
Type
Thesis, MPhil Master of Philosophy
Rights
Embargo Date:  
2023-11-07
Embargo Reason: Thesis restricted in accordance with University regulations. Restricted until 7th November 2023
Collections
  • Philosophy Theses
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10023/27090

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