Action

Abstract

Abstract Pragmatic representations mediate between sensory input and motor output. This chapter argues that at least sometimes they are the only representational states that mediate between sensory input and motor output. Sometimes we don’t need any beliefs or desires in order to act—only pragmatic representations. This should make us re-evaluate the classic belief–desire picture of motivation. Further, as pragmatic representations are normally unconscious, philosophy of action should be a naturalistic enterprise where, given that introspection will not give us (reliable) information about pragmatic representations, empirical findings need to be used to find out more about the nature of pragmatic representations. The category of semi-actions is also introduced and explained, and the scope of the belief–desire picture is further reduced by providing an alternative picture for deliberative decision-making, which would be the last refuge of the belief–desire model.