Explaining Behavior - Reasons in a World of Causes

Why 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.

About the author

Fred Dretske is Senior Research Scholar in the Department of Philosophy, Duke University.

Summary

Why 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.

Product details

• Authors: Rudiger Dornbusch, Fred Dretske, Fred I. Dretske
• Publisher: The MIT Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 05.02.1991
• EAN: 9780262540612
• ISBN: 978-0-262-54061-2
• No. of pages: 182
• Series: A Bradford Book; Bradford Books; Explaining Behavior; The MIT Press; A Bradford Book; Bradford Books; Bradford Book
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Psychology > Theoretical psychology; Non-fiction book > Psychology, esoterics, spirituality, anthroposophy > Psychology: general, reference works