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Single Idea 20064

[catalogued under 20. Action / C. Motives for Action / 3. Acting on Reason / c. Reasons as causes]

Full Idea

An action for a reason is one that is, in a special way, under the control of reason. It is a response to, not a mere effect of, a reason.

Gist of Idea

Actions are not mere effects of reasons, but are under their control

Source

Robert Audi (Action, Intention and Reason [1992], p.177), quoted by Rowland Stout - Action 6 'Alien'

A Reaction

This modifies Davidson's 'reasons are causes'. Audi has a deviant causal chain which causes trouble for his idea, but Stout says he is right to focus on causal 'processes' (an Aristotelian idea) rather than causal 'chains'.

Book Reference

Stout,Rowland: 'Action' [Acumen 2005], p.96