What is it like to be a group agent?

List, Christian (2016) What is it like to be a group agent? Noûs . ISSN 0029-4624 (In Press)

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Abstract

The existence of group agents is relatively widely accepted. Examples are corporations, courts, NGOs, and even entire states. But should we also accept that there is such a thing as group consciousness? I give an overview of some of the key issues in this debate and sketch a tentative argument for the view that group agents lack phenomenal consciousness (pace Schwitzgebel 2015). In developing my argument, I draw on integrated information theory, a much-discussed theory of consciousness. I conclude by pointing out an implication of my argument for the normative status of group agents.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(IS...
Additional Information:	© 2016 Wiley Periodicals
Library of Congress subject classification:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General)
Sets:	Departments > Government Departments > Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method Research centres and groups > Centre for Philosophy of Natural and Social Science (CPNSS)
Project and Funder Information:	Project ID Funder Name Funder ID UNSPECIFIED Leverhulme Trust http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000275
Date Deposited:	07 Jun 2016 15:21
URL:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/66817/

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