Overview
This lecture explores the concept of autonomy, focusing on the nature of desires, beliefs, and how they relate to acting autonomously.
Beliefs vs. Desires
- Beliefs are mental states where you think a sentence or proposition is true (e.g., "My dog is black").
- Desires are mental states where you want a certain situation or proposition to become true (e.g., "I want a taco").
- Both beliefs and desires are types of "propositional attitudes," which means they are attitudes toward propositions or sentences.
Propositional Attitudes
- A propositional attitude is any mental state directed toward a proposition (e.g., belief, desire).
- Belief involves accepting a proposition as true.
- Desire involves wanting a proposition to become true.
Desires and Autonomy
- Autonomy involves doing things you find worth doing or things you value.
- To be autonomous, you must be able to act on your desires—do what you want to do.
- Sometimes we question if we "really" want something, indicating uncertainty or changes in desire.
Types and Strength of Desires
- Preferences can shift based on circumstances (e.g., wanting to go to the bar vs. staying home).
- Long-term or aspirational desires (e.g., wanting to be a rock star) interact with immediate desires and options.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Autonomy — the ability to act according to your own values and desires.
- Desire — a mental state where you want a certain condition or outcome to be true.
- Belief — a mental state where you accept a proposition as true.
- Propositional Attitude — a mental orientation (like belief or desire) toward a sentence or proposition.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Reflect on your own desires and how they relate to your sense of autonomy.
- Consider examples of conflicting desires in your daily life for discussion next class.