Self-Governing Agency: The Autonomous Self

What's In the Literature

Harry Frankfurt: The Hierarchical Model

Frankfurt’s theory of self-governing agency is embedded within a hierarchical structure of desires about desires. To be autonomous, in his view, is to be moved by a desire that I identify with. Such identification consists in having an higher-order desire in favor of my first-order desire, which is uncontested and with which I am satisfied. The apparent problem with Frankfurt’s view is that one can identify with their desires for no reason, and many believe that self-governing agency cannot be arbitrary.

Gary Watson: The Platonic Model

Watson maintains a Platonic, value-based approach, suggesting that I identify with my desire when it aligns with evaluative judgments. In other words, I am self-governing when I do what I ought to do. Despite their appeal, the biggest problem for normative theories like Watson’s is that they cannot explain what happens in perverse cases, wherein agents identify with actions they does not judge best.

Michael Bratman: Self-Governing Policies

Bratman posits that identification with a desire is ensured by self-governing policies, or an intention writ large to treat certain considerations as reasoning-providing in deliberation. Intentions help us coordinate our actions, just like how policies coordinate both agency and practical thought. Bratman argues that by anchoring our agency over time, policies can speak for us at a time. The downfall of this view is that self-governing policies are—at the end of the day—intentions, which can be formed arbitrarily or abandoned at will. Thus, policies seem to lack the characteristic stability we’re looking for.

Case Examples 

1. The Unwilling Addict
   The unwilling addict desires to smoke heroin and desires to refrain, but he wants the latter desire to “win out.” Contrast this agent with the willing addict (who is fully behind smoking) or the wanton addict (who does not care which desire leads him to action).

2. Perverse Cases
   You’re at a party, and you have an important job interview tomorrow morning. You know drinking another beer will undermine your success tomorrow, and you judge that the best thing to do is go home. Still, you opt to have another beer, and you are fully identified with this course of action.

Thank you (of course) to Dr. Facundo Alonso for guiding me through an incredible research journey, and to my friends and family at home for allowing me to ramble on and on about philosophy, even when it's difficult. I appreciate you all.

• Identify areas for continual growth while pursuing and applying feedback.

My research began through the Undergraduate Summer Scholar Program, and I continued working with Dr. Alonso throughout the academic year; although, I struggled with time management trying to balance independent research alongside my other classes. So, Dr. Alonso and I worked together to adjust research plans and expectations accordingly, monitoring my opportunity for growth over time.

• Establish, maintain, and/or leverage relationships with people who can help one professionally.

Doing work in the philosophy of action has encouraged me to read further into the literature in psychology to better comprehend of our psychological resources. As a result, I've developed relationships with professors discussing related concepts like attitude strength and ensured that I have strong character recommendations in my desired field of employment.

• Seek and embrace development opportunities.

I never expected to do independent research in philosophy, nor did I expect to present my research at multiple forums. It's been such a fulfilling (though intimidating) experience, and it's bolstered my confidence to pursue even the opportunities that seem out of reach. 

• Voluntarily participate in further education, training, or other events to support one’s career.

While researching, I attended numerous events designed to develop career readiness in addition to the skills needed to communicate my research to public audiences.