Human Action and Psychological Research

Abstract

The continuing philosophical interest in action and the careful analysis to which it and related concepts such as intention are subjected stands in sharp contrast to the almost total absence of even the relevant terms from the psychological literature; when the word action is used it tends to be treated as interchangeable with activity, with behaviour, reaction or response. Are psychologists, in blurring or ignoring distinctions that are regarded as central in the philosophy of psychology, missing something essential, do the methods and the problems of psychology really pass one another by in a fundamental way? In this paper I want to examine this type of stricture in relation to possible psychological contributions towards an elucidation of action.

It was originally intended that Professor Alston would comment on a paper by Mr Borger. As it turned out, the positions were partly reversed, and the second part of Mr Borger’s paper takes issue with Professor Alston. The first part constitutes an independent contribution on the theme of ‘Action’. At the Conference this symposium was chaired by Professor Charles Taylor. I regret that, owing to his manuscript being lost, he is not able to contribute to this volume. (Ed.)