Robinson Crusoe Survives Through His Desires

What drives Robinson Crusoe to do things that seem either to the reader, or himself, unwise?

"but I must venture out in my boat on board this wreck; and committing the rest to God's Providence, I thought the Impression was strong upon my Mind, that it could not be resisted, that it must come from some invisible Direction, and that I should be wanting to my self if I did not go." (Defoe 137)

"only the ceaseless motions of mind and body, our appetites and aversions, keep us striving and, indeed, alive. Happiness lies in yearning, not in satisfaction." (Daston 307)

It is true that Crusoe did desire the company of another soul but he seems to have only felt this when he first discovered the Spanish ship. After discovering that no one is alive, he gathers everything of use to him without any further regard to the want for company.

For the past couple of years on the island, Crusoe has claimed that he must follow any drive that contradicts what his first instincts tell him. He believes this to be some form of providence watching out for him that has helped him to survive this whole time. His desire to explore the new ship wreck "could not be resisted." However, he was utterly afraid of being pulled out into the ocean again by the currents. I don't believe that it was an "invisible direction" guiding him to the boat. He didn't discover the company he desired and he didn't recover any new provisions that he needed for survival. His risking his life by facing his fear was not rewarded in a way that Providence has rewarded him in the past. Therefore, his drive to explore the ship must be of his own will.

This "Impression [on his] Mind" reminds me more of his curiosity that drove him on his voyages and ultimately left him stranded on the island. As Daston put it, Crusoe's "happiness lies in yearning, not in satisfaction." Crusoe had to go to the ship because of his burning curiosity. He is content with what he discovers there, despite not finding anyone alive. It is Crusoe's constant planning, scheming, and crafting that allow him to survive the island, not the actual results and physical objects that he obtains.