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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 Ref
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.
| 8143 | Self is the rider, intellect the charioteer, mind the reins, and body the chariot [Anon (Upan)] |
| 21319 | I can hardly care about rational consequence if it wasn't me conceiving the antecedent [Reid] |
| 3821 | Giving reasons for action requires reference to a self [Searle] |
| 3824 | A 'self' must be capable of conscious reasonings about action [Searle] |
| 3834 | An intentional, acting, rational being must have a self [Searle] |