Single Idea 6167

[catalogued under 20. Action / A. Definition of Action / 4. Action as Movement]

Full Idea

An action is a bodily movement that is caused by intentional states such as beliefs, desires and so on.

Clarification

'Intentional' states are about something

Gist of Idea

Action is bodily movement caused by intentional states

Source

Mark Rowlands (Externalism [2003], Ch.5)

Book Reference

Rowlands,Mark: 'Externalism' [Acumen 2003], p.94


A Reaction

A useful definition, and clearly one that has no truck with attempts at giving behaviourist definitions of action. The definition of a 'moral action' needs to be built on this one. Particular types of belief and desire, presumably.