The Things We Do and Why We Do Them

The Things We Do and Why We Do Them argues against the common assumption that there is one thing called 'action' which all reason-giving explanations of action are geared towards. Sandis explains why all theories concerned with identifying the nature of our 'real' reasons for action fail from the outset. This pluralistic approach reveals how numerous seemingly intractable debates arise because their participants all share a number of mistaken views that conflate distinct relata. We are subsequently presented with a novel understanding of the complex interrelations between human nature, motivation, reasons, action, explanation, and agency. This intradisciplinary book will appeal to anyone interested in the philosophy of action, moral and motivational psychology, and the philosophy of social science.

CONSTANTINE SANDIS Reader in Philosophy at Oxford Brookes University and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, UK. He has published numerous articles and edited three books on action and its explanation.