Autonomous Agents

Autonomous Agents addresses the related topics of self-control and individual autonomy. "Self-control" is defined as the opposite of akrasia-weakness of will. The study of self-control seeks to understand the concept of its own terms, followed by an examination of its bearing on one's actions, beliefs, emotions, and personal values. It goes on to consider how a proper understanding of self-control and its manifestations can shed light on personal autonomyand autonomous behaviour. Perspicuous, objective, and incisive throughout, Alfred Mele makes a convincing case for the value of individual autonomy.

The book is a major contribution to the philosophical literature on action, self-control, freedom, and autonomy, and it should be read by anyone with a serious interest in these issues, Autonomous Agents is an intricate, careful, and closely argued study, one that is well informed by relevant work from psychology as well as philosophy, Mele is a clear, careful writer. His book challenges the reader to reflect seriously on the meaning of self-control and autonomy ... Mele has hit his mark in this well-argued, engaging, and thought-provoking book., extremely interesting and carefully argued book ... His general approach, which is fresh and original, runs as follows. He articulates a model of the ideally self-controlled person and argues that even such a person can fall short of autonomy, or self-government. ... Mele has a finely tuned sense of the 'pull', or intuitive appeal, of both compatabilism and incompatibilism.