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    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

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    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    Home/Original/inverse
    See Original
    Inverse View

    It is not the case that Behavior caused by beliefs and desires is necessary but not sufficient for that behavior to count as action.

    ?Set your confidence on the premises below to see your aggregate.

    Reasons For

    2 perspectives
    Reason for 1 of 2
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    • 1.Roderick Chisholm and agent causation theorists argue that genuine action requires a sui generis causal relation between the agent-as-substance and the event, irreducible to event causation by mental states.
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      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.If agent causation is the correct account, then belief-desire causation is not even necessary for action, since the agent can initiate action without being caused to do so by prior mental events.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Davidson's claim that beliefs and desires are necessary thus presupposes the falsity of agent causation rather than establishing it, making the argument question-begging against libertarian traditions.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reason for 2 of 2
    ?
    • 1.Harry Frankfurt's hierarchical mesh theory shows that action requires not mere belief-desire causation but the agent's identification with motivating desires via second-order volitions.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.If Frankfurt is correct, belief-desire causation is neither necessary nor sufficient for action, undermining the asymmetric sufficiency claim entirely.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Behavior must be caused by an agent's beliefs and desires in order to be action.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.There exist cases where beliefs and desires cause behavior that is not rationalized by those states, and such behavior is not action.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

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    Strongest counterpoint
    Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.