Introduction: The competences of not being in control

The paradox of improvisation as both a highly specialised and a taken-for-granted capacity is rarely explored explicitly in research literature that focuses either on improvisation in artistic practices or in the philosophy of action. The first of these has to do with improvisation both as a specialised capacity of artistic, or other highly skilled practice, and as central to our capacity to perform basically any everyday task. The second paradox concerns the relationship between structure and freedom in improvisation. The third paradox concerns agency and expertise. In the case of artistic improvisation, at least, we tend to view the improviser as an expert, as someone who has mastered their field of dance, theatre, or music to the extent that he or she can discover new spaces of possibility in their art. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.