Single Idea 6384

[catalogued under 20. Action / C. Motives for Action / 3. Acting on Reason / a. Practical reason]

Full Idea

My thesis is that the ordinary notion of cause is essential to understanding what it is to act with a reason, to have an intention to act, to be an agent, to act counter to one's own best judgement, or to act freely.

Gist of Idea

The notion of cause is essential to acting for reasons, intentions, agency, akrasia, and free will

Source

Donald Davidson (Intro to 'Essays on Actions and Events' [1980], p.xi)

Book Reference

Davidson,Donald: 'Essays on Actions and Events' [OUP 1982], p.-6


A Reaction

I cautiously agree, particularly with idea that causation is essential to acting as an agent. Since I believe 'free will' to be a complete delusion, that part of his thesis doesn't interest me. The hard part is understanding acting for a reason.