Single Idea 18684

[catalogued under 20. Action / C. Motives for Action / 3. Acting on Reason / c. Reasons as causes]

Full Idea

Many have suggested alternative roles or sorts of reasons, which are not mandatory. Dancy says some reasons are 'enticing' rather than peremptory; Raz makes options 'eligible' rather than required; Gert says they justify rather than require action.

Gist of Idea

Rather than requiring an action, a reason may 'entice' us, or be 'eligible', or 'justify' it

Source

Francesco Orsi (Value Theory [2015], 6.4)

Book Reference

Orsi,Francesco: 'Value Theory' [Bloomsbury 2015], p.108


A Reaction

The third option is immediately attractive - but then it would only justify the action because it was a good reason, which would need explaining. 'Enticing' captures the psychology in a nice vague way.