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Full Idea
Whenever someone does something for a reason he can be characterised as (a) having some sort of pro attitude towards action of a certain kind, and (b) believing (or knowing, perceiving, noticing, remembering) that his action is of that kind.
Gist of Idea
Acting for a reason is a combination of a pro attitude, and a belief that the action is appropriate
Source
Donald Davidson (Action, Reasons and Causes [1963], p.3-4), quoted by Rowland Stout - Action 3 'The belief-'
Book Ref
Stout,Rowland: 'Action' [Acumen 2005], p.34
A Reaction
This is the earlier Davidson roughly endorsing the traditional belief-desire account of action. He is giving a reductive account of reasons. Deciding reasons were not reducible may have led him to property dualism.
16 | We avoid evil either through a natural aversion, or because we have acquired knowledge [Plato] |
22515 | Choice results when deliberation brings together an opinion with an inclination [Aristotle] |
24113 | Our motives don't explain our actions [Nietzsche] |
20045 | Acting for a reason is a combination of a pro attitude, and a belief that the action is appropriate [Davidson] |
20149 | To control our actions better, make them result from our attitudes, not from circumstances [Kekes] |
4325 | Must all actions be caused in part by a desire, or can a belief on its own be sufficient? [Hursthouse] |