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[lojban] Re: brivla for 'intend'



John Cowan wrote:
robin scripsit:


I would argue that with the possible exception of unconscious reflexes, it is impossible to do something without wanting to do it, but that's a controversial position.


The trouble with this formulation is that it depends on what is and
what is not an "action".  For example, I cannot speak (neglecting
grunts) without wanting to speak, fair enough.  But suppose the
room in which I am speaking is, all unknown to me, bugged by X.
Then do you think it would be appropriate to say that I wanted to
be heard by X?  This seems bizarre and counterintuitive, yet given
the situation, being heard by X is an inevitable consequence of speaking.

Similarly, if I were shooting at a target behind which was standing
somebody (but I did not know that), and my bullet went through the target
and hit her, would you say that I wanted to hit her?

If a consequence is unknown, it cannot be part of the desire.

robin.tr

--
"The other major kind of computer is the "Apple", which
I do not recommend, because it is a wuss-o-rama New-Age
computer that you basically just plug in and use."
 -Dave Barry

Robin Turner
IDMYO
Bilkent Üniversitesi
Ankara
Turkey

http://www.bilkent.edu.tr/~robin