Practical Reasoning

Photo of the Thinking Cowboy by Alastair Norcross.

Practical reasoning is figuring out what to do, as contrasted with determining what to believe. We will examine a menu of recent views as to the forms that practical reasoning can take, including instrumentalism (it's all about getting what you want, or achieving your objectives), specificationism (the important phase of practical reasoning is getting to a clearer and more definite conception of your objectives), Kantian accounts (you only have a reason to do it if anyone in your shoes would also), and particularism (reasons are like kleenex: use them once and throw them away). The unifying themes of the semester will be whether those first two approaches are competitors or compatible, bounded rationality as a frame for understanding practical reasoning, and the concept of defeasibility, that is, of a consideration giving you a reason to act -- but only other things equal.

PHIL 5191/6191
Fall 2024
Time: Tu 2:00-5:00
Location: PTAB 111

• Readings
• Requirements
• Weekly Assignments