Philosophy of Mind Series: Three Faces of Desire

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Desiring is a universal experience linked to motivation, pleasure, and reward—referred to as "the three faces of desire." The prevailing philosophical view suggests that the motivational aspect defines desire: to desire something means being inclined to act to achieve it. Conversely, a less conventional perspective emphasizes the hedonic aspect, where desire is tied to feelings of pleasure or displeasure based on perceived outcomes. In this work, the author introduces a novel theory that emphasizes the often-overlooked face of desire: reward. Drawing from both contemporary scientific insights and philosophical traditions, the discussion explores recent findings about how actions and feelings are generated in the brain. Notably, experiments indicate that a specific system in the brain is responsible for driving actions and eliciting feelings of pleasure or displeasure. This reward system serves as the causal foundation for both action and feeling, offering a deeper understanding of the essence of desire.