more from Michael Bratman

Single Idea 20032

[catalogued under 20. Action / B. Preliminaries of Action / 1. Intention to Act / c. Reducing intentions]

Full Idea

Bratman motivated the idea that intentions are psychologically real and not reducible to desire-belief complexes by observing that they are motivationally distinctive, and subject to their own unique standards of rational appraisal.

Gist of Idea

Bratman rejected reducing intentions to belief-desire, because they motivate, and have their own standards

Source

report of Michael Bratman (Intention, Plans, and Practical Reason [1987]) by Wilson,G/Schpall,S - Action 4

Book Reference

'Stanford Online Encyclopaedia of Philosophy', ed/tr. Stanford University [plato.stanford.edu], p.13


A Reaction

If I thought my belief was a bit warped, and my desire morally corrupt, my higher self might refuse to form an intention. If so, then Bratman is onto something. But maybe my higher self has its own beliefs and desires.