Full Idea
It is having second-order volitions, and not having second-order desires generally, that I regard as essential to being a person.
Clarification
'Volitions' are acts of will
Gist of Idea
A person essentially has second-order volitions, and not just second-order desires
Source
Harry G. Frankfurt (Freedom of the Will and concept of a person [1971], §II)
Book Reference
'Free Will', ed/tr. Watson,Gary [OUP 1982], p.86
A Reaction
Watson criticises Frankfurt for just pushing the problem up to the the next level, but Frankfurt is not offering to explain the will. He merely notes that this structure produces the sort of behaviour which is characteristic of persons, and he is right.