ABSTRACT
“Desire” is ambiguous, expressing two logically though not causally independent propositional attitudes, called “volitive” and “appetitive” desire. While both tend to generate action, to spread from ends to means, and to yield pleasure when satisfied, there are major differences: appetitive desire influences volitive desire, not vice versa; volitive desire is a better index of action, appetitive desire of pleasure; and only volitive desires are based on reasons, influenced by value judgments, or entailed by intentions.
