Abstract

This chapter presents a summary of what is believed about the production of bodily movement by the mind, a summary of how motivation and inhibition get bodies out of bed and engaged in the varied activities of life. The focus is placed on the sources of motivation and inhibition, namely trying, having a prior intention, being rewarded, being pleased and desiring. It considers both what is thought about these phenomena by people of common sense and what neuroscientists have to say about them. Moreover, the book sets out the various advantages and disadvantages presented by the standard theory of desire, the hedonic theory, and the reward theory as theories explaining how desires motivate. It is generally believed that the reward theory of desire emerges as the strongest of the three theories under consideration.