Let it be known. One does not see action. One interprets physical changing events as actions. To interpret as action requires the bringing to bear on those physical changing events the elements which must always be found in any action: ends, means, values, preferences, choice, time, cost, loss, profit. The attempt to invalidate such a […]
Category Archives: Uncategorized
3.9.3, The centrality of labor as cost of action
3.9.2, On Cost of action as allocated means
Once choice is made action cannot commence without means. We have already examined means as an apriori condition of action. It comes in the form of stored energy or capital. There cannot be action without means. The body and its available energy, the savings account and its money, the character and its virtue, the mind […]
3.9.1, On Costs of action as lost opportunity
The apriori of action is what makes possible the analysis of action in experience and in particular. If I want to understand any particular action it must be from an understanding of the elements of action. Ever action presupposes ends, means, values, preferences, choice, time, and now we come to costs. Cost is almost necessarily […]
3.8.2, Indeterminateness of Time
That which is presupposed by action is hard to get at when conceived in its generality which has to be the case in order to conceive it apriori. To meditate on ends or means without meditating on anything in particular in either category is simply to meditate on the necessary structured pregnancy of the concept […]
3.8.1, Time and Action
Action is so pregnant. I write, think, sit, reflect, way, type, scan, focus, marshall, ignore, embrace. I act. Action is not possible to understand without ends, means, values, preferences, choice. Now we add time. Action is always in time. As usual I make an effort to avoid metaphysics (Presentism vs. Eternalism about time) and focus […]
3.7, Choice and Action
We cannot understand action without understanding it as chosen by the agent. We cannot understand the choice as a choice about what to do or not do which involves an end and the allocation of means. Those ends and means have been preferred above all others relative to the agent. And so, once whatever amount […]
3.6, Preference and action
We are looking at the apriori elements of action. So far we have examined ends, means, and value. We still have preference, choice, time, cost, loss, profit. Today, preference. Preference is the element necessary because of the bountiful insecurity of ends and means. Let us note the bounty. Even he who is homeless may pursue […]
3.5.2, Value, desire and passion
The philosophical tradition I am familiar with divides the agent into thinker and will-er. This division is in some sense unreal. The thinker is, in reality, unthinkable without will. But in other senses it, like any other distinction, allows for some nuance in analysis and so is conceptually worth while. There is no doubt that […]
3.5.1, Value
In our next stage of apriori analysis of action I want to handle value. Ends are chosen because they have value. Means are chosen because they have value for achieving ends. If there is action, if there is self-directed movement toward goals with means (resources), toward the satisfaction of demand with supply, there is value. […]
