Abstract

It is a mystery why we are bettered by successfully pursuing our projects, even when we fail to attain their objects. Here I propose a solution: when an agent undertakes a project, he constructs a part of himself; to pursue a project successfully is to benefit that part of oneself; and to benefit a part of oneself is to provide some benefit to one’s whole self. I then outline the following considerations in favour of my proposal: our pride towards our accomplishments, the stringent conditions on one’s being a benefactor, and the harm of having one’s projects thwarted