Single Idea 3821

[catalogued under 16. Persons / A. Concept of a Person / 3. Persons as Reasoners]

Full Idea

The requirement that I state reasons that I acted on requires a reference to the self. …Only for a self can something be a reason for an action.

Gist of Idea

Giving reasons for action requires reference to a self

Source

John Searle (Rationality in Action [2001], Ch.3.VII)

Book Reference

Searle,John R.: 'Rationality in Action' [MIT 2001], p.86


A Reaction

Why can't we just say that this reason, given this desire and this belief, led to this action, and never mention the self? Admittedly leaving out 'I' is an odd circumlocution, but I don't find this particular argument very convincing.