Explanations of the Knobe Effect in the Context of a Conflict of Norms Cover Image

Wyjaśnienie efektu Knobe’a w kontekście konfliktu norm
Explanations of the Knobe Effect in the Context of a Conflict of Norms

Author(s): Katarzyna Kuś, Bartosz Maćkiewicz
Subject(s): Epistemology, Ethics / Practical Philosophy, Social Philosophy
Published by: Uniwersytet Warszawski - Wydział Filozofii i Socjologii, Instytut Filozofii
Keywords: Knobe Effect; intentional action; conflict of norms; Omission Account; intention

Summary/Abstract: In a famous study, Joshua Knobe (2003) found an asymmetry in the way people ascribe intentional action. We discuss two explanations of this phenomenon: a psychological one formulated by Knobe himself and the so-called Omissions Account proposed by Katarzyna Paprzycka (2016a), and then describe an empirical study we have conducted into lay judgments of the intentionality of actions performed by agents facing a conflict of norms. While neither account in its present form explains our data, we argue that a modification of Paprzycka’s solution has the conceptual resources to deal with them. By contrast, a similar modification of Knobe’s proposal is highly implausible.

  • Issue Year: 25/2017
  • Issue No: 4 (100)
  • Page Range: 57-85
  • Page Count: 29
  • Language: Polish