Single Idea 20061

[catalogued under 20. Action / A. Definition of Action / 2. Duration of an Action]

Full Idea

If psychological states and action results cannot be identified independently of one another, then it does not make sense to describe one as causing the other.

Gist of Idea

Mental states and actions need to be separate, if one is to cause the other

Source

Rowland Stout (Action [2005], 5 'Conclusion')

Book Reference

Stout,Rowland: 'Action' [Acumen 2005], p.82


A Reaction

This summarises a widely cited unease about the causal theory of action. Any account in action theory will need to separate out some components and explain their interrelation. Otherwise actions are primitives, and we can walk away.