Frankfurt, Freedom of the Will and the Concept of a Person.

We get introduced to Frankfurts definition to what it means to be person. He defines it as having a consciousness of ourselves. He classifies us in two clubs , first order desire and second order desire. First order desires is someone desiring to do something or not to do it. In the other case, second order desire is a desire that requires a reflective “self evaluation”. He says second order has to be wanting to do something or being moved to do or not to do that. Frankfurts says, first order is for humans and for animals. In addition, he explains what a wanton is . A wanton is defined as a young child, nonhuman animals, and some adults. As well he quotes “wanton does not care about his will”(pg 11). Frankfurts now totally tells us how this wanton doesn’t care and they could go on living life not caring about their actions.

Now one of the most interesting example he shares with us is when he starts talking about two drug addicts. He does mention one drug addict has the first order desire to take the drug because of the addiction and has a second order desire to stop taking the drug. But it’s possible the addiction may be too much and he can’t stop taking drugs. Yet, the second drug addict again has the first desire order to take the drug, but has no second order desire because they are not worried where they will end up. Frankfurts proved his point how humans could have first order desire and second order desires.

Therefore, we all perform numerous actions everyday all day long. For instance, when we are hungry we go make food or order out , when we’re tired we go to bed or take a nap. But all of the actions I , we commit too are prior knowledge of their outcome. A personal example of first order desire is having the desire to graduate from nursing school. The second order desire is wanting to finish school because i will begin my dream career. But this desire will only be considered effective when I study and keep studying day and night in order to graduate nursing school.(word count 366).