In a first step, the question "what exactly is an action?" is discussed based on J. David Velleman’s essay “What Happens When Someone Acts”. In a second step, we will be shed a light on the Identification and Wholeheartedness of actions.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Conscious Reflexivity and Flow
3. Conflict of Desires and Higher-Order Volitions
4. Decisive Commitment and Wholeheartedness
5. The Role of Identifying with One’s Desires
6. Mindful Action and the Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this essay is to explore the conditions under which an individual can be said to "identify" with an action, moving beyond simple causal theories of behavior to understand how wholeheartedness defines human agency and intentionality.
- The distinction between mere happenings and intentional actions.
- The necessity of consciousness and reflexive awareness in purposeful behavior.
- The hierarchical structure of desires and the conflict between higher-order volitions.
- The concept of decisive commitment as a solution to volitional incoherence.
- The integration of mindful awareness into the process of wholehearted identification.
Excerpt from the Book
The role of identifying with one’s desires
The person’s choice between to desires to one of them doesn’t eliminate the conflict between it and the other. What it terminates is the conflict within the person as to which of these desires he prefers to be his motive. The conflict between the desires “transformed into a conflict between one of them and the person who has identified himself with its rival” (Frankfurt, p. 172) Like this, the Wholeheartedness of his commitment is achieved: The person is no longer unsure which side he is on and even though the conflict between the two desires is ongoing, the wholeheartedness of his commitment to the desire with which he identifies isn’t affected. So Wholeheartedness, as Frankfurt it uses, isn’t a feeling of enthusiasm!
But in order to being able to act wholehearted, we need to know what we really want and we need to be fully present in the moment. Just like this it’s possible for us to decide for that desire. What can help us to achieve this is mindful behaviour. I want to show with an example what I mean with this: Instead of being stuck in your head, planning your day and not noticing the world around you, when you’re waiting at the bus stop, you notice the outer world with all your five senses. You hear the traffic, you smell the cars, feel the morning sun on your skin and notice the wind touching your face softly. You reflect about thinks that are connected with the present moment, remark your own feelings, you are aware of your movements. So a wholehearted action is always a mindful action, because a mindful action implies like a wholehearted action deciding actively for a desire, to identify with it, being reflective and self-conscious. Being a mindful person can help you to have a good contact to your inner self, your real (higher-order desires). So be a mindful person! Like this you don't go through life like an actor – betraying yourself about what you really want. Of course, you are still able to act to others, but at least in a mindful and wholehearted way.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the initial problem of distinguishing human action from mere happenings and introduces Velleman's critique of causal theories.
2. Conscious Reflexivity and Flow: Discusses the necessity of reflexive consciousness, contrasting it with autotelic states like "flow" where self-identification is absent.
3. Conflict of Desires and Higher-Order Volitions: Examines how internal conflicts between different levels of desires can undermine an agent's control over their own will.
4. Decisive Commitment and Wholeheartedness: Explains how individuals terminate volitional incoherence through a decisive commitment that settles internal conflict.
5. The Role of Identifying with One’s Desires: Clarifies that identifying with a desire does not remove the conflict, but changes the agent's relationship to it.
6. Mindful Action and the Conclusion: Argues that mindfulness is a practical tool for achieving wholeheartedness by ensuring the agent is fully present in their decisions.
Keywords
Action, Identification, Wholeheartedness, Philosophy of Mind, Higher-order desires, Volition, Frankfurt, Velleman, Causal Theory, Reflexivity, Mindfulness, Intentionality, Commitment, Agency, Consciousness
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper explores the philosophical definition of human action and the conditions required for an agent to "identify" with their actions.
What are the central themes discussed?
Central themes include the distinction between causal behavior and voluntary action, the nature of consciousness, the structure of desire, and the concept of wholeheartedness.
What is the primary research question?
The essay asks what it means for an agent to identify with an action and how this identification is relevant to the broader notion of human agency.
Which theoretical approaches are utilized?
The paper primarily relies on the philosophical essays of J. David Velleman regarding action and H.G. Frankfurt regarding identification and wholeheartedness.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It covers the hierarchy of desires, the conflict between higher-order volitions, and the necessity of reflexive consciousness for purposeful action.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include Action, Identification, Wholeheartedness, Higher-order desires, and Mindfulness.
How does the author define the relationship between "flow" and action?
The author argues that in a state of "flow," a person loses reflexive consciousness and therefore cannot meaningfully identify with their actions.
How is the concept of "decisive commitment" used to resolve internal conflict?
It is used as a tool to end the infinite regress of questioning one's own desires, allowing the individual to stop being divided and move forward with an action.
Why does the author suggest mindfulness is relevant to wholeheartedness?
Mindfulness helps individuals stay present and aware of their true, higher-order desires, preventing them from acting as if they are wearing a "mask."
- Arbeit zitieren
- David Schneider (Autor:in), 2014, What does it mean to identify with an action?, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/374543
