PHI 111 Week 3: Problems of Agency

Latour's Actor Network Theory: A.N.T.

and the four objections Sismondo lists:

1.Practices and cultures

2.Problems of agency

3.Problems of realism

4.Problems of the stability of objects and actions

Out of these objections, I believe the most relevant are the problems of agency because "In principle, ANT is entirely symmetrical around the human/non-human divide. Non-humans can appear to act in exactly the same way as do humans – they can have interests, they can enroll others" but ANT "downplay(s) any agency that non-humans might have". Fundamentally ANT contradicts itself and doesn't consider the perspectives outside of the main one to be evaluated. My interpretation of this suggests that not all possible outcomes are considered, or allowed to be tested. Therefore, results will vary and uncertainties will occur.