Actions and Other Events: The Unifier-Multiplier Controversy

by Karl Pfeifer

How many things did the gunman do? Is his pulling of the trigger the same as his killing of the victim? Or are these two different actions or events? Such questions are at the heart of the dispute between «unifiers» and «multipliers» over the individuation of actions and events. In this study Karl Pfeifer defends the unifying approach of G.E.M. Anscombe and Donald Davidson against the criticisms and rival views of Alvin I. Goldman and others. Along the way, the discussion touches on a variety of problems concerning causality, time, explanation, language, ontology, and identity. What finally emerges is a clearer picture of the nature of criteria of identity and individuation for actions and events than has been available to date.

210 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1989