Regret is born where choice dies
Publication Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
7-2022
Abstract
This paper analyses regret. On the basis of a number of examples, the case is made that regret is a negative affective state that has a perceived past choice as its object. More precisely, S regrets φ-ing, iff, and because (i) S has a negative affective state regarding φ-ing (Negative Affect State Requirement), the experience of which is explained by (ii) S perceiving that an alternative choice that was available to her would have been preferable to φ-ing (Perceived Forking Path Requirement). The resulting account is differentiated from Williams’ agent-regret and shown to avoid problems faced by Zeelenberg’s definition of regret.
Keywords
regret, negative affective state, past choice, Negative Affect State Requirement, Perceived Forking Path Requirement, agent-regret, Zeelenberg's definition
Discipline
Epistemology
Research Areas
Humanities
Publication
Philosophical Papers
Volume
51
Issue
2
First Page
319
Last Page
322
ISSN
0556-8641
Identifier
10.1080/05568641.2022.2082514
Publisher
Taylor and Francis Group
Citation
RYAN, Shane.(2022). Regret is born where choice dies. Philosophical Papers, 51(2), 319-322.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/3710
Additional URL
http://doi.org/10.1080/05568641.2022.2082514