Agency means the capacity to act intentionally, to make choices, and to influence the world.
From the moment we begin to understand our actions as distinct from the world around us, we begin to form a sense of self as an agent. This concept is a central theme in psychology, religion, and philosophy. Each discipline offers a unique understand of agency.
Psychological Perspectives on Agency
In psychology, agency is a foundational aspect of human development and well-being. From early childhood, children begin to recognize that their actions can produce effects—pushing a toy car, for example, causes it to move. This early sense of causal control is a critical milestone in the development of self-efficacy, a concept articulated by Albert Bandura. Self-efficacy refers to an individual’s belief in their ability to succeed in specific situations, and it is closely tied to the experience of agency.
Agency also plays a key role in motivation and mental health. According to self-determination theory, autonomy—the sense of acting from one’s own values and desires—is one of three basic psychological needs, alongside competence and relatedness. When individuals feel autonomous, they are more likely to engage in meaningful, self-directed behaviors. Conversely, a loss of agency—such as in depression, trauma, or chronic illness—can lead to feelings of helplessness and diminished motivation.
In clinical settings, the reclamation of agency is often a central goal of therapy. Whether through cognitive-behavioral techniques that help individuals regain control over their thoughts and actions or through narrative therapies that allow people to reframe their life stories, restoring a sense of agency is vital for healing and growth.
Agency in Religious Thought
In monotheistic traditions—such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism—God is viewed as the ultimate agent, the source of all creation and moral order. Yet, humans are also seen as agents, endowed with free will and moral responsibility.
This tension between divine sovereignty and human freedom has long been a subject of theological debate. In Christianity, for instance, the doctrine of predestination suggests that God has already determined the fate of individuals, while others emphasize free will and personal choice. Similarly, in Islam, the concept of qadar (divine decree) coexists with the idea that humans are accountable for their actions.
Philosophical Reflections on Agency
Philosophy has long grappled with the nature of agency, particularly in relation to free will and moral responsibility. The central question is whether human beings are truly free to make choices, or whether our actions are determined by prior causes—such as genetics, environment, or fate.
Compatibilists, like David Hume and Daniel C. Dennett, argue that free will is compatible with determinism. According to this view, as long as our actions are the result of our own desires and reasoning—rather than external coercion—we can be considered free agents. In contrast, incompatibilists, such as Immanuel Kant and Thomas Hobbes, maintain that true freedom requires the ability to have done otherwise, which is only possible if the will is not entirely determined by prior causes.
Kant, in particular, emphasized the moral dimension of agency. He argued that moral responsibility depends on autonomy—the capacity to act according to self-imposed moral laws. For Kant, a truly moral agent is one who acts not out of desire or fear, but out of respect for the moral law. This view places agency at the center of ethical life.
Contemporary philosophy continues to explore agency in new directions. Philosophers like Harry Frankfurt have introduced the concept of “second-order desires”—desires about one’s own desires—to explain how individuals can reflect on and shape their values. Others examine collective agency, considering how groups can act as agents, and how social structures influence individual freedom.
Interdisciplinary Insights and the Future of Agency
While psychology, religion, and philosophy each offer distinct insights into agency, they also converge on several key themes.
All three domains recognize that agency is not merely a matter of individual choice but is shaped by context, relationships, and structures.
In psychology, social and cultural factors influence self-efficacy. In religion, community and tradition shape moral agency. In philosophy, the concept of agency is deeply intertwined with ideas of justice, responsibility, and freedom.
Moreover, the experience of agency is not static. It can be enhanced through education, therapy, and spiritual practice. It can also be eroded by trauma, oppression, or systemic inequality. In an age of increasing technological and social complexity, questions about agency—such as who controls our data, how algorithms shape our choices, and whether we can truly act freely in a world of surveillance—have taken on new urgency.
In conclusion, agency is not a simple binary of “free” or “not free.” Rather, it is a dynamic, multifaceted capacity that is central to human identity, morality, and meaning.
References
Psychology
- Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84(2), 191-215.
- Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The “what” and “why” of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227-268.
Philosophy
- Dennett, D. C. (1984). Elbow Room: The Varieties of Free Will Worth Wanting. MIT Press.
- Frankfurt, H. G. (1971). Freedom of the will and the concept of a person. The Journal of Philosophy, 68(1), 5-20.
- Hume, D. (1748). An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding.
- Kant, I. (1785). Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals.
Religious Studies
- Al-Ghazali. (11th century). The Incoherence of the Philosophers (on Islamic perspectives on free will and divine decree).
- Augustine of Hippo. (4th-5th century). On Free Choice of the Will.
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