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Single Idea 20041

[filed under theme 20. Action / B. Preliminaries of Action / 1. Intention to Act / a. Nature of intentions ]

Full Idea

Intentional actions are those to which a certain sense of the question 'Why?' is given application; the sense is of course that in which the answer, if positive, gives a reason for acting.

Gist of Idea

Intentional actions are those which are explained by giving the reason for so acting

Source

G.E.M. Anscombe (Intention [1957], p.9), quoted by Rowland Stout - Action 2 'Two kinds'

Book Ref

Stout,Rowland: 'Action' [Acumen 2005], p.15

A Reaction

This works better for grand large-scale actions than for small ones, like taking the knife out of the drawer before the fork. Kahnemann nowadays tells us that the reasons we articulate might not be the ones that are operative.

Related Idea

Idea 20044 The rationalistic approach says actions are intentional when subject to justification [Stout,R]

The 17 ideas with the same theme [intrinsic nature of a decisive mental state]:

4380 Not all actions aim at some good; akratic actions, for example, do not [Burnyeat on Aristotle]
20041 Intentional actions are those which are explained by giving the reason for so acting [Anscombe]
20072 We explain an intention by giving an account of acting with an intention [Davidson, by Stout,R]
20076 An intending is a judgement that the action is desirable [Davidson]
20033 Intentions are normative, requiring commitment and further plans [Bratman, by Wilson/Schpall]
20034 Intentions must be mutually consistent, affirm appropriate means, and fit the agent's beliefs [Bratman, by Wilson/Schpall]
20169 An action may be intended under one description, but not under another [Kekes]
23146 Motives produce intentions, which lead to actions [Driver]
20039 The causal theory says that actions are intentional when intention (or belief-desire) causes the act [Stout,R]
20044 The rationalistic approach says actions are intentional when subject to justification [Stout,R]
20047 Deciding what to do usually involves consulting the world, not our own minds [Stout,R]
20065 Should we study intentions in their own right, or only as part of intentional action? [Stout,R]
20067 You can have incompatible desires, but your intentions really ought to be consistent [Stout,R]
20078 The normativity of intentions would be obvious if they were internal promises [Stout,R]
20022 To be intentional, an action must succeed in the manner in which it was planned [Wilson/Schpall]
20023 If someone believes they can control the lottery, and then wins, the relevant skill is missing [Wilson/Schpall]
20025 We might intend two ways to acting, knowing only one of them can succeed [Wilson/Schpall]