Single Idea 20037

[catalogued under 20. Action / B. Preliminaries of Action / 2. Willed Action / b. Volitionism]

Full Idea

Our merely willing to walk has the consequence that our legs move and we walk.

Gist of Idea

Merely willing to walk leads to our walking

Source

René Descartes (The Passions of the Soul [1649], 18), quoted by Rowland Stout - Action 1 'Volitionism'

Book Reference

Stout,Rowland: 'Action' [Acumen 2005], p.8


A Reaction

Stout attributes this to Descartes' dualism, as if legs are separate from persons. Stout says the idea of a prior mental act is not usually now considered as part of an action, or even to exist at all. If the volition is intentional, there is a regress.