Self-Knowledge and Practical Reason

Lisa Hall
John Carroll University

This paper addresses the relationship between self-knowledge, practical reason, and Externalist theories of mind. Specifically, I argue that the kind of self-knowledge defended by Externalists is insufficient for intentional action. I claim that we know how to act only if we have access to beliefs about how our circumstances are related to our intended actions. I then go on to argue that the kind of mental content we need to characterize these beliefs is incompatible with the Externalist's assumptions.