The Metaphysics of Action Trying, Doing, Causing

“The Metaphysics of Action is a treasure-trove of puzzles, examples, and distinctions concerning action and its individuation. … Ruben’s work is thorough, meticulous, and refreshing.” (Constantine Sandis, The Philosophical Quarterly, September 24, 2019)

“It is a deep dive into philosophical linguistic analysis, in which he scrutinizes grammar and usage to clarify thinking about trying, action, and causation. Ruben devotes a great deal of space to discussion and critique of competing accounts, in the process ranging widely over the analytic scholarship on action. … Summing Up: Optional. Graduate students, researchers, faculty.” (D. A. Forbes, Choice, Vol. 56 (11), July, 2019)

“What are actions? In this densely-argued and thought-provoking work, David-Hillel Ruben sets out to answer this question, by way of an examination of some of the ideas that have gained currency over the last 50 years or so of philosophy of action … . This is a book for serious aficionados of philosophy of action.” (Helen Steward, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews, ndpr.nd.edu, December, 18, 2018)