# Reasons for Action: Internal vs. External

> 【EN】Often, when there is a reason for you to do something, it is the kind of thing to motivate you to do it. For example, if Max and Caroline are deciding whether to go to the Alcove for dinner, Caroline might mention as a reason in favor, the fact that the Alcove serves onion rings the size of doughnuts, and Max might mention as a reason against, the fact that it is so difficult to get parking there this time of day. It is some sign—perhaps not a perfect sign, but some sign—that each of these really is a reason, that Max and Caroline feel the tug in each direction. Mention of the Alcove’s onion rings makes them feel to at least some degree inclined to go, and mention of the parking arrangements makes them feel to at least some degree inclined not to. According to some philosophers, reasons for action always bear some relation like this to motivation. … 【中】当我们说某件事是做某事的理由时，它往往也是能打动我们的东西：餐厅有巨大的洋葱圈是去的理由，那个时段停车太难是不去的理由。内在主义把这种联系上升为必然，主张真正属于你的理由必定与你的动机状态有某种联结；外在主义则认为理由可以完全外在于你的欲望。词条梳理内在主义的多种版本与中心难题。

- ID: m13298
- Category: learn
- Domain: 认知科学

## Definition

内在主义与外在主义之争问的是理由与动机之间是否存在必然联系：内在主义认为一个理由若真是你的理由，就必能以某种方式推动你；外在主义否认这一点。 脚手架作用：- 动机诊断：判断某人不受打动是缺乏动机还是理由本不成立。 - 论证检验：检验“你有理由”是否预设了心理联结。 - 劝说策略：决定先激发欲望还是直接给出客观理由。

## How it works

争论的支点在于：理由若完全外在于主体，又如何说明它“属于”这个人？内在主义用动机联结解释理由的规范性力量，却必须说明那些我们显然有、却毫无动机的理由；外在主义保住了理由的独立性，却要解释理由如何与行动发生关联。

## Practice

1) 面对“我有没有理由做这件事”，先分辨问的是规范上的理由还是动机上的推动力；2) 检验是否存在你承认有理由、却完全无动于衷的情形；3) 用这类例子判断你更倾向内在主义还是外在主义。

## Use

- 动机诊断：判断某人不受打动是缺乏动机还是理由本不成立。 - 论证检验：检验“你有理由”是否预设了心理联结。 - 劝说策略：决定先激发欲望还是直接给出客观理由。

[Read the web page](https://thinkingmodels.site/en/entries/detail/m13298)
