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20. Action / A. Definition of Action / 3. Actions and Events

[relationship between actions and mere events]

2 ideas
What is left over if I subtract my arm going up from my raising my arm? [Wittgenstein]
     Full Idea: What is left over if I subtract the fact that my arm goes up from the fact that I raise my arm?
     From: Ludwig Wittgenstein (Philosophical Investigations [1952], §621)
     A reaction: Wittgenstein's implication seems to be that nothing is left over, but I would have thought that the will was the thing left over when you decide to raise your arm, but then discover that you are paralysed.
I do actions, but not events, so actions are not events [Stout,R]
     Full Idea: I do not do an event; I do an action; so actions are not events.
     From: Rowland Stout (Action [2005], 5 'Are actions')
     A reaction: Sounds conclusive, but it places a lot of weight on the concepts of 'I' and 'do', which leaves room for some discussion. This point is opposed to the causal theory of action, because causation concerns events.