The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
Ep. 326: Guest Michael Tomasello on the Evolution of Agency (Part One)
Oct 2, 2023
Michael Tomasello investigates the evolution of agency in animals and the behaviors that constitute agency. The podcast explores the concept of agency, normativity, and evolution. It also discusses social interaction and cooperation, levels of agency and metacognitive monitoring, the role of agency in evolution, and the influence of agency on constructing an objective world.
45:04
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Quick takeaways
- Different levels of agency exist in animals, ranging from goal-directed agents to intentional agents and rational agents, with humans possessing all levels.
- Agency, particularly at higher levels, is influenced by biological evolution, with the environment being shaped by the agency of individuals within a species.
Deep dives
Levels of agency: From goal-directed to intentional to rational agents
In this podcast episode, Michael Tomasello discusses his book, 'The Evolution of Agency,' which explores how agency has evolved. He introduces the concept of different levels of agency, starting with goal-directed agents like lizards who make simple go-no-go decisions based on their environment. Moving up the hierarchy, Tomasello discusses intentional agents like squirrels who simulate different actions before making a decision. Finally, he explores rational agents like great apes who have metacognitive abilities and understand causality in a more sophisticated way. Each level builds upon the previous one, and humans possess all levels of agency, with shared intentionality and normativity being unique to our species.
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