• Admin
    UC Research Repository
    View Item 
       
    • UC Home
    • Library
    • UC Research Repository
    • College of Arts
    • Arts: Theses and Dissertations
    • View Item
       
    • UC Home
    • Library
    • UC Research Repository
    • College of Arts
    • Arts: Theses and Dissertations
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Browse

    All of the RepositoryCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics

    Practical reasons

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    CarolynMasonPhDthesisPracticalReasons.pdf (1.613Mb)
    Mason_Use_of_thesis_form.pdf (101.1Kb)
    Author
    Mason, Carolyn Ellen
    Date
    2012
    Permanent Link
    http://hdl.handle.net/10092/7534
    Thesis Discipline
    Philosophy
    Degree Grantor
    University of Canterbury
    Degree Level
    Doctoral
    Degree Name
    Doctor of Philosophy

    Normal human limitations mean that when people decide how to act, they often have to base their decisions on flawed information or reasoning. Even when agents reason to the best of their ability, and form intentions consistent with that reasoning, they sometimes get things wrong. Dominant theories about reasons for action argue that all good, or ‘normative’, reasons for acting are objective normative reasons. But objective normative reasons for action are derived from facts about the world that ignore certain facts about human agents. On these accounts of reasons, real human agents can be unable to learn what they have normative reason to do. A common response to this problem is to say that in such situations people act in a praiseworthy way, but their actions are based on false beliefs, and false beliefs cannot be good reasons. I argue that when agents reason to the best of their ability and form intentions consistent with that reasoning, agents act appropriately in response to states of the world that are normative reasons for action. To support my claim, I develop an account of what I call ‘justifiable reasons’, normative reasons for action that human agents can always use as a basis for action, and the form of reason that underpins rationality.

    I discuss the similarities and differences between my account of justifiable reasons and several approaches to reasons that resemble my account. I show that, in spite of objections, justifiable reasons are normative reasons, not motivating reasons. Accounts of subjective normative reasons are based on examples that look similar to mine. So, I explain why justifiable reasons are not subjective normative reasons. Some features of internal reasons also resemble features of justifiable reasons. But, I show that there is nothing about justifiable reasons that entails that they must be internal or external reasons. I take it that justifiable and objective normative reasons serve different purposes, so I explain these different purposes. Finally, I argue in support of my claim that to be rational, agents must act appropriately in response to justifiable reasons.

    Subjects
    normative reasons
     
    rationality
     
    objective normative reasons
     
    subjective reasons
     
    practical reason
    Collections
    • Arts: Theses and Dissertations [1448]
    Rights
    http://library.canterbury.ac.nz/thesis/etheses_copyright.shtml

    Related items

    Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.

    • A re-examination and reinterpretation of the records of the presocratics and earlier from an ATR (Argumentative Theory of Reason) perspective : the development of reasoning in Greece in the form of “devising and evaluating arguments intended to persuade” 

      Armfield, Greg (University of Canterbury, 2017)
      Aristotle was the founder of logic. He said that there was nothing like it earlier. Interpretations of the records of the presocratics from a classical theory of reasoning (CTR) perspective give the ‘traditional account’ ...
    • Rate and reasons for hearing aid non-use in Aotearoa/New Zealand. 

      Masters, Rebekah (University of Canterbury, 2016)
      Background: It has been estimated in overseas studies that between 1% and 40% of hearing aids dispensed are not used (Dillon et al, 1999; Kochkin, 2005; Lupsakko & Kautiainen, 2005; Parving & Sibelle, 2001; Smeeth et al, ...
    • Rate and reasons for hearing aid disuse in New Zealand/Aotearoa. 

      Blood, Hannah L. (University of Canterbury, 2016)
      Introduction: Despite evidence that hearing aids (HA) are effective in treating hearing impairment, many individuals who own HAs do not use them. The disuse of HAs can impact upon a person’s quality of life, relationships ...

    UC Research Repository
    University Library
    University of Canterbury
    Private Bag 4800
    Christchurch 8140

    Phone
    364 2987 ext 8718

    Email
    ucresearchrepository@canterbury.ac.nz

    Follow us
    FacebookTwitterYoutube

    © University of Canterbury Library
    Send Feedback | Contact Us