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#985 Philip Ball - How Life Works: A User’s Guide to the New Biology

The Dissenter

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Agency is Found in the Pursuit of Self-Determined Goals

Agency is defined as the capacity of an entity to set self-determined goals, manipulate its environment, and possibly influence itself to achieve those goals. This definition emphasizes that agency is not inherently tied to complex cognitive processes but rather revolves around the ability to pursue personal objectives. The concept of agency varies across different fields, including psychology and engineering, where it may involve intentionality or dimensional applications that diverge from biological interpretations. Ultimately, the essence of being an agent lies in the pursuit of self-established goals.

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