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other subjects > arts and humanities > philosophy > philosophy of action > causes versus reasons in action explanation
social science subjects > social research > philosophy and the social sciences > philosophy of action > causes versus reasons in action explanation
... > social science subjects > politics and international relations > political science > political theory > empirical political theory > philosophy of social science > causes versus reasons in action explanation
... > social science subjects > politics and international relations > political science > political theory > modern political theory > philosophy of social science > causes versus reasons in action explanation
social science subjects > social research > philosophy and the social sciences > philosophy of social science > causes versus reasons in action explanation

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causes versus reasons in action explanation  

Definition

  • The debate whether human action is the result of, and can be explained by appeal to, reasons as opposed to causes has been of central importance both to the philosophy of action and to the philosophy of the social sciences. The debate was particularly significant to the latter, especially because it was thought that if reasons for actions are not causes, then the social sciences cannot be assimilated to natural sciences and understanding intentional behavior is distinct from explanation of physical phenomena. [Source: Encyclopedia of Philosophy and the Social Sciences; Causes versus Reasons in Action Explanation]

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https://concepts.sagepub.com/social-science/concept/causes_versus_reasons_in_action_explanation

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