PY4672 Collective Agency and Responsibility: Corporations, Governments, Humanity

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Module description

This module examines a range of philosophical issues concerning collections of individuals, such as governments, corporations, or humanity. Ordinarily, we speak of such collections as if they were morally responsible. We hold the government responsible for the state of the NHS, various companies as responsible for the opioid crisis, and humanity as responsible for climate change. And at least in the case of organised groups, we routinely talk of what they knew and wanted (e.g. “The company wanted to maximise profits so marketed opioid products despite knowing their addictive character”). In short, we treat them as if they were genuine agents. But, can they be genuine agents with beliefs and desires, or is this merely a manner of speaking? What is involved in a collection of people acting together, as opposed to acting individually? What kinds of collection are morally responsible, and how does the moral responsibility of a collective relate to the responsibility of their members?

Intended learning outcomes

• explain the metaphysical, epistemological, and moral issues arising from collections
• to analyse and critically evaluate recent approaches to these issues in the literature;
• to formulate and articulate their own views on these issues;
• to provide a rational defence of their own views in written work and in discussion.