Ideas from 'Reason, Emotions and Good Life' by John Cottingham [2000], by Theme Structure

[found in 'lecture notes' (ed/tr -) [- ,]].

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20. Action / C. Motives for Action / 3. Acting on Reason / a. Practical reason
Either all action is rational, or reason dominates, or reason is only concerned with means
                        Full Idea: We can distinguish rational exclusivism (all activity is guided by reason - Plato and Spinoza), rational hegemonism (all action is dominated by reason), and rational instrumentalism (reason assesses means rather than ends - Hume).
                        From: John Cottingham (Reason, Emotions and Good Life [2000])
                        A reaction: The idea that reason is the only cause of actions seems deeply implausible, but I strongly resist Hume's instrumental approach. Action without desire is not a contradiction.