Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Res Philosophica
Abstract
This paper considers how a number of particular disabilities can impact agency primarily by affecting what psychologists refer to as ‘executive function.’ Some disabilities, I argue, could decrease agency even without fully undermining it. I see this argument as contributing to the growing literature that sees agency as coming in degrees. The first section gives a broad outline of a fairly standard approach to agency. The second section relates that framework to the existing literature, which suggests that agency comes in degrees. The third section considers the psychological literature on executive function with a particular focus on how aspects of executive function contribute to agency. I then consider, in sections 4 and 5, two disabilities that have an impact on an agent’s executive function. Other disabilities will likely involve comparable impacts, although I don’t have time to explore additional disabilities in the present paper.
First Page
767
Last Page
796
DOI
https://doi.org/10.11612/resphil.1451
Publication Date
10-2016
Recommended Citation
Timpe, Kevin, "Executive Function, Disability, and Agency" (2016). University Faculty Publications and Creative Works. 645.
https://digitalcommons.calvin.edu/calvin_facultypubs/645