Single Idea 20202

[catalogued under 20. Action / C. Motives for Action / 1. Acting on Desires]

Full Idea

A motive does have an aspect of desire, but it includes something about why a state of affairs is desired, and that includes something about the way my emotions are tied to my aim.

Gist of Idea

Motives involve desires, but also how the desires connect to our aims

Source

Linda Trinkaus Zagzebski (Virtues of the Mind [1996], II 2.6)

Book Reference

Zagzebski,Linda: 'Virtues of the Mind' [CUP 1996], p.131


A Reaction

It is standard usage that a 'motive' involves some movement towards achieving the desire, and not merely having the desire. I'd quite like to stand on top of Everest, but have absolutely no motivation to try to achieve it.