Non-agent

A 'non-agent' refers to an individual, entity, or system that does not actively initiate actions or exert independent control over events. This can encompass a broad range of subjects, from inanimate objects to passive participants in a process. The term often highlights the absence of intentionality, agency, or decision-making capability. In the context of computing, it might refer to a component that receives data or instructions without possessing autonomy, or an individual in a story not taking action, or an event without a human or AI actor actively doing something.

Non-agent meaning with examples

• The weather vane, a purely mechanical device, is a non-agent. It reacts passively to wind direction but doesn't choose where to point. It's an example of a system influenced by an external force.
• In a criminal investigation, the victim of a crime is often considered a non-agent. They did not instigate the events; they were acted upon. The focus shifts to the agent that caused the harm.
• A computer program that only processes pre-defined data inputs, with no ability to independently learn or adapt, can be classified as a non-agent. It strictly adheres to its programmed instructions.
• The rocks on the beach remain a non-agent, unchanged by a sea wave. Non-agents remain passive to their environment and are acted upon by their environment.