Unexpectedness of action: Event, meaning and imagination

In this article, I investigate the concept of unexpectedness in action, drawing primarily on the ideas of Arendt and Ricoeur. The investigation is furthered through temporal, historical and semantic dimensions of action, highlighting how unexpectedness serves as a basic characteristic through which a novelty appears. This three-dimensional investigation aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how unexpectedness is seen and heard as a novelty within the context of human action. I argue that unexpectedness appears as a novelty through which new beginnings can occur. The investigation introduces an examination of Arendt’s action to show its character of unexpectedness. Ricoeur’s understanding of action, narrative and imagination will enable me to thoroughly examine Arendt’s understanding of action and its characteristic of unexpectedness.