Reasons for Regret

Abstract

The paper discusses the idea suggested by Bernard Williams that agent–regret has to do with our identity and character as agents. It is argued, contra Williams, that the constitutive thought of agent–regret is not “how much better if it had been otherwise,” but rather “how much better if I had done otherwise.” It is also argued that the thought “how much better if I had done otherwise” applies to a wide variety of actions––genuine or full–blooded actions, akratic actions, and accidental actions. By feeling agent–regret, the agent assumes that the action is his/her own and takes a kind of responsibility for it, regardless of whether it is a case of genuine or accidental agency. It is concluded that agent–regret delimits the boundaries of that which each of us––from a first person perspective––views as his/her own action.