Philosophy 152 Philosophy of Human Nature Darwall Fall 1996 FREUD I I Before we get into Freud, let's begin with some general issues about determinism and free choice that arose in our discussion of Nietzsche. These can also serve as a good introduction to Freud. A. Contrast between an oberserver's and an agent's perspective. This corresponds to the difference between reasons why something happened and reasons we might have for doing something. Determinism is the view that anything that happens is the result of prior causes. It is a sign that we may presuppose something like this belief that, whenever something happens, we naturally think there must be some reason it happened. Of the things that happen, however, only actions are done reasons in the sense that the agent herself had reasons for doing what she did. Examples: i. Dropping an object. I have some reason for dropping the object. The object has no reason for falling. ii. Contrast between involuntary, reflex behavior and voluntary conduct. a. a reflex b. a conditioned reflex c. voluntary action B. This contrast concides with two different ways in which we may try to make sense of behavior: i. causal -- why did that happen ii. rational -- why did I (that person) think that made sense to do? C. What, then, is the relevance of determinism to the agent's perspective? When we deliberate about what to do, what role does it play? II Our model of action for reasons may be of a person acting for what he consciously regards as a reason for acting. A major theme of Freud's theorizing, however, is that unconscious thought (belief, desire, emotion) plays a large role in explaining how human beings act. A. That we can act without consciously thinking of our reasons is familiar enough. Usually, indeed, we don't even have to think of our reasons to be aware of them, e.g., habits, etc. B. However, Freud's theme is more radical: we frequently act on reasons that are opaque to us, because we have repressed them. What is intriguing about Freud's theory is that it aims to explain as purposive and rational-like many things that seem quite involuntary, like slips, mistakes, jokes, etc. It aims to explain why we act on reasons that puzzle us (when we think of them). Why do I want this so much? And it offers a program for gaining increased rational control by making our unconscious motivations conscious.