more from John Searle

Single Idea 3830

[catalogued under 13. Knowledge Criteria / C. External Justification / 1. External Justification]

Full Idea

For a long time people had a reason not to smoke cigarettes, without knowing that they had such a reason.

Gist of Idea

In the past people had a reason not to smoke, but didn't realise it

Source

John Searle (Rationality in Action [2001], Ch.4)

Book Reference

Searle,John R.: 'Rationality in Action' [MIT 2001], p.99


A Reaction

What does 'had' a reason mean here? If I wish you dead, there is a reason why you should be dead, but you don't 'have' the reason, and never will have. There's probably a reason why I should never have been born.