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Original scientific paper

Autonomy and the emotions

Christine Tappolet


Full text: english pdf 139 Kb

page 45-59

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Abstract

Can actions caused by emotions be free and autonomous? The rationalist conception of autonomy denies this. Only actions done in the light of reflective choices can be autonomous and hence free. I argue that the rationalist conception does not make room for akratic actions, that is, free and intentional actions performed against the agent’s best judgement. I then develop an account inspired by Harry Frankfurt and David Shoemaker, according to which an action is autonomous when it is determined by the agent’s most central cares, where cares are defined in terms of emotional dispositions.

Keywords

freedom; autonomy; emotions; care; weakness of will

Hrčak ID:

92068

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/92068

Publication date:

1.6.2006.

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