Explaining our Actions

Peter Carruthers is Distinguished University Professor of Philosophy at the University of Maryland. His publications include Human and Animal Minds (2019) and Human Motives: Hedonism, Altruism, and the Science of Affect (2024).

• Preface; 1. Introduction and background assumptions; 2. Habits, skills, and know-how; 3. Affect-caused action; 4. Mental actions; 5. Decision-making and goals; 6. Pleasure and (affective forms of) desire; 7. Belief, judgment, and knowledge; 8. Do attitudes come in degrees?; 9. Summary and conclusions; References; Index.

'A thorough tour of the philosophy of psychology, from the standard model of commonsense psychology on which philosophers have long relied through to the picture provided by the best of contemporary cognitive science. As a pioneer of research in this area, Carruthers serves as an ideal guide. He offers a comprehensive assessment of the challenges and opportunities for philosophers in the interdisciplinary activity of explaining action. An essential read for anyone wanting a sense of philosophy of psychology, where it's been, and where it's headed.' Sarah Robins, Purdue University