collective agents

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "collective agents" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing groups or entities that act together or have a shared purpose, often in fields like sociology, economics, or artificial intelligence. Example: "In the study of social dynamics, collective agents can influence the behavior of individuals within a community."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Formal & Business

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Markets are institutions in which individuals or collective agents exchange goods and services.

SEP

Accordingly, corporations, universities, government agencies, religious bodies, and other collective agents can act in discriminatory ways.

SEP

The point is once again easier to see when we are considering collective agents, so let us take up Korsgaard's political analogy once more.

SEP

He draws an analogy between single agents and collective agents (cf. 2007: 85 86), thus setting the stage for the study of the intentionality specific to group phenomena.

SEP

In many cases, acts of discrimination are attributed to collective agents, rather than to natural persons acting in their individual capacities.

SEP

Tuomela acknowledges that the collective agents we are most familiar with, organizations and corporations, require a more detailed internal structure that encompasses the relationships between their members, relationships between the members and the respective collective agents, and a number of organizational characteristics.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

If one believes that a collective agent is also collectively autonomous, one apparently subscribes to at least two normatively relevant beliefs ([ 26]: 292–295): first, this autonomous collective agent is not only able to hold attitudes that are partly independent of the attitudes of its members, but it is also justified in overriding dissenting opinions of its members.

BMC Medical Ethics

The first and second condition can certainly be met, and one can believe that the organizers of the PIA collectively recognize the public they involved as a collective agent.

BMC Medical Ethics

People, for example, a small sociological research group, would just need to organize a PIA and collectively recognize the participants as a group forming a collective agent in order to satisfy one of three conditions for the creation of such a collective agent.

BMC Medical Ethics

But as Nietzsche understood, the idea of "humanity" as a collective agent with universal goals that it pursues in the course of history is a secular residue of a religious faith in providence.

The Guardian - Books

This process-based wrong is at the level of a specific agent, albeit a collective agent.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the actions of groups, use "collective agents" to highlight their unified nature and shared purpose.

Common error

Avoid attributing intentionality too broadly to "collective agents" without specifying decision-making processes or responsible individuals within the group.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "collective agents" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies entities composed of multiple individuals or components that act in a unified manner. Ludwig confirms this usage, presenting numerous examples across diverse fields.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

70%

Formal & Business

20%

News & Media

10%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "collective agents" refers to groups or organizations that function as a single unit. Ludwig AI analysis shows that the phrase is grammatically correct and is most commonly used in scientific and formal contexts to describe how entities with multiple components act in a coordinated fashion. When using this term, it's important to consider the agency and intentionality of the group, and whether attributing a singular purpose is appropriate. Related phrases like "group actors" or "organizational entities" can provide alternative ways to express similar concepts, depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Group actors

Replaces "agents" with "actors", emphasizing the role of the group in performing actions.

Organizational entities

Focuses on the formal structure and nature of the collective as an organization.

Joint enterprises

Highlights the collaborative and purposeful nature of the collective's activities.

Combined forces

Emphasizes the pooled resources and collaborative effort of the collective.

Unified bodies

Stresses the cohesion and singleness of purpose within the collective.

Cooperative groups

Highlights the collaborative aspect of the agents working together.

Synergistic teams

Focuses on the enhanced outcomes achieved through the collaboration of the agents.

Consolidated units

Emphasizes the merging and integration of individual entities into a single unit.

Associated bodies

Highlights the formal association and connection between the agents.

Allied factions

Suggests a union of different factions working towards a common goal.

FAQs

How can I use "collective agents" in a sentence?

Use "collective agents" to describe a group or organization that acts as a single entity, such as "Corporations and universities can be considered "collective agents" when making decisions".

What are some synonyms for "collective agents"?

Alternatives include "group actors", "organizational entities", or "joint enterprises", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say a company is a "collective agent"?

Yes, a company can be described as a "collective agent" because it operates as a single entity, making decisions and taking actions on behalf of its members or stakeholders.

What's the difference between "collective agents" and "individual agents"?

"Collective agents" refer to groups acting together, while "individual agents" are single persons or entities acting on their own. For example, a government is a "collective agent", whereas a sole proprietor is an individual agent.