Thomas Reid's theory of agency
The <I>Essays on the Active Powers of Man </I>are Thomas Reid's last major work, where the Scottish philosopher presents an original theory of human agency. This thesis is a critical reconstruction of Reid's theory, showing how it completes his earlier <I>Essays on the Intellectual Powers. </I>It is argued that Reid's theory of agency must be understood as uncovering the essential aspects of the actions of human persons, and therefore that it provides an understanding of the nature of personality and of the agency proper to persons. If Reid's arguments often appear as negative responses to philosophers that have preceded him, Locke and Hume in particular, what underlies these criticisms is in fact a positive and coherent conception of man. The metaphysics of personal identity and agency thus constitutes the framework in which Reid develops a moral psychology in a naturalistic spirit, as well as an analysis and defence of the possibility of free agency, what he calls man's ~moral liberty~. By virtue of their natural constitution, human beings are able to exert their voluntary abilities according to particular reasons. They are thereby free from necessity and capable of self-government, as moral and responsible
Kervoas, Gael
Essays on the active powers of man; Human nature; Personality; Action; Morality
Thomas Reid's theory of agency. The <I>Essays on the Active Powers of Man </I>are Thomas Reid's last major work, where the Scottish philosopher presents an original theory of human agency. This thesis is a critical reconstruction of Reid's theory, showing how it completes his earlier <I>Essays on the Intellectual Powers. </I>It is argued that Reid's theory of agency must be understood as uncovering the essential aspects of the actions of human persons, and therefore that it provides an understanding of the nature of personality and of the agency proper to persons. If Reid's arguments often appear as negative responses to philosophers that have preceded him, Locke and Hume in particular, what underlies these criticisms is in fact a positive and coherent conception of man. The metaphysics of personal identity and agency thus constitutes the framework in which Reid develops a moral psychology in a naturalistic spirit, as well as an analysis and defence of the possibility of free agency, what he calls man's ~moral liberty~. By virtue of their natural constitution, human beings are able to exert their voluntary abilities according to particular reasons. They are thereby free from necessity and capable of self-government, as moral and responsible
thomas_reid theory agency essays active powers man thomas_reid last major_work scottish philosopher present_original theory human_agency critical reconstruction theory show earlier essays intellectual powers argue theory agency must_understand uncovering essential_aspect action human_person therefore_provide nature personality agency proper person argument often_appear negative response philosopher precede locke hume particular underlies criticisms fact positive coherent conception man metaphysics personal_identity agency thus_constitute framework develop moral_psychology naturalistic spirit well analysis defence possibility free agency call man moral liberty virtue natural constitution human_being able exert voluntary ability accord particular reason thereby free necessity capable self_government moral responsible