This paper will introduce some connections between the philosophy of action and art. I specifically intend to make links between the philosophy of action and artworks called ‘open works.’ These links will become apparent when we see Umberto Eco’s application of the term ‘open work’ as a category of artwork and Paul Ricoeur’s application of the same term as a description of action.

I then introduce an explanation of the ‘open work’ and look at some examples. This helps to define the types of artefact under discussion. I also sketch out the ‘natural attitude’ to action and show how the emphasis shifts as the interpretation of action moves from a phenomenological to a hermeneutic interpretation.