Explaining Behavior: Reasons in a World of CausesWhy do human beings move? In this lucid portrayal of human behavior, Fred Dretske provides an original account of the way reasons function in the causal explanation of behavior. Biological science investigates what makes our bodies move in the way they do. Psychology is interested in why persons—agents with reasons—move in the way they do. Dretske attempts to reconcile these different points of view by showing how reasons operate in a world of causes. He reveals in detail how the character of our inner states—what we believe, desire, and intend—determines what we do. |
Contents
Chapter 5 | 22 |
Chapter 2 | 33 |
Chapter 3 | 51 |
Chapter 4 | 79 |
Motivation and Desire | 109 |
Chapter 6 | 137 |
Bibliography | 157 |
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Common terms and phrases
amplifier animal animal's background conditions behave beliefs and desires Bessemer Process bimetal bimetallic strip black horse blowfly bodily movements C's causing caribou causal cause of movement chapter classified Clyde cognitive color conditions F correlation depends describe detector effect elements Elliott Sober exhibit explain behavior explanation of behavior explanatory external fact fuel gauge function of indicating furnace ignition gauge glass goal-directed happen hence identify indicator function intentional intentionality internal cause internal indicators kind learning magnetosomes mechanisms merely misrepresent motor moving his arm natural signs neural occur Oscar Robertson output plants popcorn pressing the bar produce properties purposes rat's reason reinforcing relevant representational systems represents response result rewards rings sense sensory systems shedding its leaves stimulus structuring cause supposed switch systems of Type tank thermostat thing's causing things tree triggering cause turning the furnace wiring Xanthippe