Know-How, Action and Proximity

Adam Carter (University of Glasgow)

2 May 2025, 16:00 (Lisbon Time – WET)

Faculdade de Letras de Lisboa

Sala Mattos Romão [C201.J] (Departamento de Filosofia)

Abstract: Few theses at the intersection of action theory and epistemology have more adherents than the Simple View, according to which, if an agent φ-s intentionally, then she knows how to φ. That view struggles, however, to account for cases of intentional actions performed in novel circumstances, or when facing novel tasks. We propose to reject the Simple View and instead explain the relationship between intentional action and know-how by appeal to proximity, a relation encoding the extent to which the means for one task (ψ) can be co-opted to reliably succeed in another (φ). According to our Proximity View, if an agent φ-s intentionally, then she knows how to ψ, where ψ is sufficiently proximal to φ. Not only does the Proximity View explain intentional actions performed when facing novel circumstances or tasks, but it also illuminates both the process of learning by doing and the luck that action per se tolerates. (Joint work with Tim Kearl [Flagler College].)