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Full Idea
Human actions can in no way be explained by reference to human motives.
Gist of Idea
Our motives don't explain our actions
Source
Friedrich Nietzsche (Unpublished Notebooks 1881-82 [1882], 9[43])
Book Ref
Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'The Joyful Science, and 1881-82 fragments (v 6)', ed/tr. Del Caro,Adrian [Stanford 2023], p.319
A Reaction
He takes motives to come after the event. His view seems to be that our actions are deeply inexplicable. But if we explain why we performed some action, are we all and always lying? We give reasons, even if we don't know the source of the reasons.
| 16 | We avoid evil either through a natural aversion, or because we have acquired knowledge [Plato] |
| 22515 | Choice results when deliberation brings together an opinion with an inclination [Aristotle] |
| 24113 | Our motives don't explain our actions [Nietzsche] |
| 20045 | Acting for a reason is a combination of a pro attitude, and a belief that the action is appropriate [Davidson] |
| 20149 | To control our actions better, make them result from our attitudes, not from circumstances [Kekes] |
| 4325 | Must all actions be caused in part by a desire, or can a belief on its own be sufficient? [Hursthouse] |