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Why cognitivism?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2020

Yair Levy
Yair Levy*
Affiliation:
Philosophy Department, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
*
E-mail: ylevy@post.tau.ac.il
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Abstract

Intention Cognitivism – the doctrine that intending to V entails, or even consists in, believing that one will V – is an important position with potentially wide-ranging implications, such as a revisionary understanding of practical reason, and a vindicating explanation of ‘Practical Knowledge.’ In this paper, I critically examine the standard arguments adduced in support of IC, including arguments from the parity of expression of intention and belief; from the ability to plan around one’s intention; and from the explanation provided by the thesis for our knowledge of our intentional acts. I conclude that none of these arguments are compelling, and therefore that no good reason has been given to accept IC.

Keywords

Intentioncognitivism about intentionavowalspractical knowledge
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal of Philosophy , Volume 48 , Issue 2 , 2018 , pp. 223 - 244
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Journal of Philosophy 2017

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