Indexes for action

Joëlle Proust (1)

1 IJN - Institut Jean-Nicod

This articles examines three ways in which the connection between semantic and pragmatic representations of a single action can be tightened up in order to remedy the puzzle of deviant causation. A first move consists in making the feedback process, i.e. the dynamics of the relationship between both representational components, a central element in the definition of an action. A second step brings in the action-effect principle, emphasizing the teleological relation of each pragmatic representation type with its external effects. A final step consists in elucidating the constitutive character of demonstrative reference for the contents of working memory states.

Mots clés: teleology; deviant causation; indexicals; control system; action-effect principle; teleology.

Joëlle Proust. Indexes for action. Revue Internationale de Philosophie, 1999, 1999 (3), pp.321-345. ⟨ijn_00139438⟩