Corns, J. (2022) Suffering as significantly disrupted agency. Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, 105(3), pp. 706-729. (doi: 10.1111/phpr.12841)
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Abstract
This article offers a new theory of suffering as significantly disrupted agency. In presenting it, I here make three significant contributions. First, I subject the leading account of suffering as undesired unpleasant experience (Brady, 2018) to its first dose of sustained scrutiny. Second and drawing on this discussion, I identify and liberate eight desiderata for any account of suffering. Third, I present the novel account of suffering as significantly disrupted agency and argue that it satisfies these desiderata. Moreover, I argue that elaborating this proposal with a minimal model of agency allows us to capture both the suffering of a wide range of organisms and the complex dynamics of suffering as it is endured. I conclude by briefly highlighting some of the potential implications of the theory for further theoretical and practical inquiries.
Item Type: | Articles |
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Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Corns, Dr Jennifer |
Authors: | Corns, J. |
College/School: | College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > Philosophy |
Journal Name: | Philosophy and Phenomenological Research |
Publisher: | Wiley |
ISSN: | 0031-8205 |
ISSN (Online): | 1933-1592 |
Published Online: | 19 October 2021 |
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