Journal article
The Perceptual Sense of Agency
Review of philosophy and psychology, Vol.16(4), pp.1473-1499
12/2025
DOI: 10.1007/s13164-025-00788-7
Appears in UI Libraries Support Open Access
Abstract
The sense of agency is the experience of predicting, initiating, or controlling actions. In this paper, I provide a novel account of the sense of agency that appears in perceptual consciousness. I follow theorists such as Bayne and Prinz in suggesting that the perceptual sense of agency (PSoA) is underpinned by self-monitoring processes. The self-monitoring mechanism compares sensory predictions, made on the basis of motor commands, with sensory feedback. This comparison process distinguishes self-caused from other-caused perceptual changes. I argue for a view where the PSoA is not explained by certain contents represented in perceptual experience. Rather, my account models the PSoA as a type of intentional mode that perceivers bear to contents. After defending this view, I respond to objections and contrast my account with others in the literature.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The Perceptual Sense of Agency
- Creators
- Gabriel Siegel - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Review of philosophy and psychology, Vol.16(4), pp.1473-1499
- DOI
- 10.1007/s13164-025-00788-7
- ISSN
- 1878-5158
- eISSN
- 1878-5166
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 11/11/2025
- Date published
- 12/2025
- Academic Unit
- Philosophy
- Record Identifier
- 9985032650702771
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