The verdictive organization of desire

Derek Clayton BAKER

doi:10.1080/00455091.2016.1278149

The verdictive organization of desire

Derek Clayton BAKER

Department of Philosophy

Research output: Journal Publications › Journal Article (refereed) › peer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Deliberation often begins with the question ‘What do I want to do?’ rather than a question about what one ought to do. This paper takes that question at face value, as a question about which of one’s desires is strongest, which sometimes guides action. The paper aims to explain which properties of a desire make that desire strong, in the sense of ‘strength’ relevant to this deliberative question. The paper argues that one’s judgment about one wants most will sometimes play a verdictive role, partially determining what the agent most wants, and so making itself true.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	589-612
Number of pages	24
Journal	Canadian Journal of Philosophy
Volume	47
Issue number	5
Early online date	9 Jan 2017
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/00455091.2016.1278149
Publication status	Published - 2017

Bibliographical note

Thanks to Lousie Anthony, Elizabeth Harman, Donald Hubin, Tristram McPherson, Alexander Nehamas, Philip Pettit, Nate Sharadin, Michael Smith, Jack Woods, and the audiences at Princeton University, Chinese University of Hong Kong, National University of Singapore, and the Conference on Rationality and Its Rivals at University of Macau for comments, criticisms, and questions.

Keywords

Desires
Humean theory of reasons
practical rationality
practical reason
self-knowledge

Access to Document

10.1080/00455091.2016.1278149

Cite this

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title = "The verdictive organization of desire",

abstract = "Deliberation often begins with the question {\textquoteleft}What do I want to do?{\textquoteright} rather than a question about what one ought to do. This paper takes that question at face value, as a question about which of one{\textquoteright}s desires is strongest, which sometimes guides action. The paper aims to explain which properties of a desire make that desire strong, in the sense of {\textquoteleft}strength{\textquoteright} relevant to this deliberative question. The paper argues that one{\textquoteright}s judgment about one wants most will sometimes play a verdictive role, partially determining what the agent most wants, and so making itself true.",

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AB - Deliberation often begins with the question ‘What do I want to do?’ rather than a question about what one ought to do. This paper takes that question at face value, as a question about which of one’s desires is strongest, which sometimes guides action. The paper aims to explain which properties of a desire make that desire strong, in the sense of ‘strength’ relevant to this deliberative question. The paper argues that one’s judgment about one wants most will sometimes play a verdictive role, partially determining what the agent most wants, and so making itself true.

KW - Desires

KW - Humean theory of reasons

KW - practical rationality

KW - practical reason

KW - self-knowledge

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DO - 10.1080/00455091.2016.1278149

M3 - Journal Article (refereed)

SN - 0045-5091

VL - 47

SP - 589

EP - 612

JO - Canadian Journal of Philosophy

JF - Canadian Journal of Philosophy

IS - 5

ER -

The verdictive organization of desire

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

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Autonomy as Self-Interpretation (作為自我詮釋之自主性)

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The verdictive organization of desire

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

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Fingerprint

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Autonomy as Self-Interpretation (作為自我詮釋之自主性)

Cite this