Seminar Agency between Biology and Philosophy 2025/2026

Here, you will find the 2025-2026 programme, and general information about our seminar.

The introductory post can be found here.

Programme

This year, we will meet each second Wednesday of each month, from 4pm to 5pm (UK time).

Upcoming dates: 

• 12 November: Session on the minimal viable mechanisms of biological agency (session led by Daria Zakharova).

• 10 December: Session led by Angie Pepper

• 14 January : Session on how to promote agency for captive animals, with a focus on elephants (session led by Lisa Yon)

• 11 February: Session on play as a problematic case of agency (session led by Marek Špinka)

• 11 March: Session on play agency (session led by Stella Sandford)

• 8 April: TBA

• 13 May: TBA

• 10 June: TBA

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://ucl.zoom.us/j/94845332305

Meeting ID: 948 4533 2305

Session Format

Each session will be structured as follows:

1. A 15–20-minute presentation, introducing a conceptual or empirical challenge related to agency.

2. A 40–45-minute discussion, aimed at collaboratively exploring the topic.

Note: The goal is not to present “finalised” research or results, but to foster a shared reflection on the conceptual and empirical challenges surrounding the concept of agency.

Topics

The following topics will guide our discussions throughout the series (not necessarily in this order):

1. Autonomy

   • How do we define autonomy?

   • Does it imply moral obligations? Are agents moral agents and/or moral recipients?

2. Choice, Decision-Making, and Intentionality

   • What does it mean for a nonhuman animal to have a choice or the ability to make decisions?

   • Is choice necessarily linked to intentionality?

   • How can choice or intentionality be recognised through behaviours?

   • How can we integrate these ideas into methods and experiments?

   • How can we avoid anthropomorphism?

3. Niche Construction and Effects on Ecology/Evolution

   • What makes a living system an “evolutionary” or “ecological” agent?

   • Are all living systems or organisms agents?

4. Levels and Degrees/Forms of Agency

   • Are there multiple levels of agency?

   • Are there degrees of agency

   • Are there distinct forms of agency?

5. Studying Agency Without Manipulating It

   • How can we study agency ethically, and when is manipulation/human interference justified or not?

6. Agency and Animal Welfare

   • How can agency considerations be integrated into welfare practices?

7. The Conceptual Role of Agency

   • What role does the concept of agency play in research?

Join Us

If you’re interested in joining the mailing list, accessing our shared Google Drive folder, or learning more about the seminar, please email: mathilde.tahar@ucl.ac.uk.