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Halfhearted Action and Control.

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    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    This study defines halfhearted action as weak overall motivation. It finds that impaired control is a key functional expression of such actions, presenting a puzzle when commitment conflicts with accepting poor performance.

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    Area of Science:

    • Philosophy of Action
    • Psychology of Motivation

    Background:

    • Many intentional actions are performed with diminished effort or commitment.
    • Understanding the nature of 'halfheartedness' in action is crucial for analyzing intentional behavior.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To develop and defend a philosophical account of halfhearted action.
    • To identify the functional expressions and potential puzzles associated with halfheartedness.

    Main Methods:

    • Conceptual analysis of motivation and action.
    • Developing a definition of halfheartedness based on overall motivation strength.
    • Examining the relationship between halfheartedness and control.

    Main Results:

    • Halfheartedness is defined as having weak overall motivation to perform an action.
    • Impaired control over the action is identified as a key functional expression of halfhearted action.
    • A puzzle arises when an agent's commitment to acting conflicts with their acceptance of poor performance.

    Conclusions:

    • The proposed account clarifies the nature of halfhearted action.
    • Impaired control is a significant consequence of weak motivation in action.
    • The identified puzzle highlights complexities in the psychology of commitment and performance evaluation.