The interplay of reason and desire in human action

The Interplay of Reason and Desire

Two Classes of Mind Processes

We can distinguish two main classes of mind processes. On one hand, we have rational processes like thinking, remembering, judging, and imagining. With these, we are aware of ourselves assenting to or dissenting from a proposition. On the other hand, we have desires, affections, and feelings. These are characterized by a lack of awareness; we don't choose our wishes or feelings. Rational processes are based on reason, while desires, emotions, and feelings, traditionally considered passions, are not.

Reason vs. Passion

Traditionally, it was believed that both rational and irrational processes were driven by opposing forces within us. This "battle" between reason and passion takes place within each human being. On one side is the source of beliefs, ideals, and imagination; on the other, the receptacle of desires, emotions, and feelings. This creates a conflict between a rational being and a passionate being.

The Power of the Mind

According to the Stoics, every animal has a tendency to love what preserves its existence and reject what threatens it. Max Scheler observed this fundamental drive in plants, directed towards light or humidity. Humans also possess this force, not just for survival, but for a fuller, more perfect life. Spinoza defined love as the joy accompanied by the idea of an external cause. It is this love of truth, indignation at injustice, and the joy of living that motivates us to learn, fight for justice, and live serenely. There aren't two opposing forces, but a single energy diversified into desires, emotions, and feelings that sometimes conflict.

Desires, Affections, and Feelings

Desire is the orientation of mental energy towards an object. Affect is a temporary mood. Feeling is also a mood, but less intense and more durable than affect. Desires, emotions, and feelings share common features: they are not chosen by us and they encourage us to act.

The Conditions for Moral Action

1. A publicly observable event.
2. Intention: the will to attain an end.

Moral Action and Values

Value: qualities attributed to things to make choices and satisfy needs and desires. Moral needs/desires: needs to live better, relate better with others, and with ourselves. Moral values: qualities attributed to actions and people based on how well they meet moral requirements.

Three Kinds of Moral Values:

1. Good/desirable or otherwise.
2. Morally required.
3. Morally reprehensible or morally commendable.

Moral action: actions seeking a moral value—those that are good, morally obligatory, or commendable. Morality: a set of beliefs about what is good, morally obligatory, and morally commendable. These can be personal or societal.

Rationality of Action

Three conditions: awareness of purpose, knowledge of means, and ability to use those means. Reason calculates and evaluates the means.

Moral Rationality

Reason evaluates ends, means, and context according to moral values.