THE EASY APPROACH TO GROUP AGENCY. A SIMPLE REALIST VIEW ON GROUP AGENTS
THE EASY APPROACH TO GROUP AGENCY. A SIMPLE REALIST VIEW ON GROUP AGENTS
Author(s): Andreea PopescuSubject(s): Metaphysics, Contemporary Philosophy, Analytic Philosophy
Published by: Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai
Keywords: Analytic Entailments; Deflationism; Group agency; Group agents; Simple Realism;
Summary/Abstract: We talk about groups as doing something, we talk as if groups have agency. Is our talk legitimate? Are there group agents? Is there something like group agency? In this paper, I discuss two ontological frameworks concerning existence questions: the Quinean framework and the Thomasson-Carnap framework. I apply them to the problem of group agency. I review the Quinean-oriented literature debating the existence of group agents and its methodological background. I argue, via Thomasson’s easy approach to ontology, that deflationism can simplify the debate surrounding group agents. Thus, I argue for a Thomasson-Carnap framework and show that it is better suited to answer the particular question whether there are group agents. More specifically, I argue for a non-reductive simple realist view on group agents, i.e. I argue for the truth of “There are group agents,” via analytic entailments, by truths about the actions and deeds of groups.
Journal: Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai - Philosophia
- Issue Year: 66/2021
- Issue No: 2
- Page Range: 81-102
- Page Count: 22
- Language: English