Unit 3: Psychological Basis of Morality
Understanding the internal mechanisms of human conduct.
Table of Contents
1. Human Conduct vs. Behavior
In Ethics, we distinguish Conduct from mere behavior. Behavior includes all activities (reflexes, biological processes), whereas Conduct refers specifically to voluntary actions aimed at a conscious end.
2. Voluntary and Involuntary Actions
Moral judgment is only passed on voluntary actions. These are actions characterized by Knowledge of the end and Freedom of the will.
Involuntary actions (which are non-moral) include:
- Reflex Actions: Sudden physical responses like sneezing or blinking.
- Instinctive Actions: Actions governed by nature without rational deliberation.
- Compulsory Actions: Actions done under extreme physical force or "Acts of God" (natural disasters).
3. Motive: The Subjective Drive
A Motive is the inner drive, feeling, or desire that prompts a person to act. It is the answer to the question, "Why did you do it?"
Example: A person gives money to a beggar. Their motive might be genuine compassion (altruism) or a desire for social recognition (vanity).
4. Intention: The Objective Goal
Intention is a more complex psychological state than motive. It includes the End (the goal), the Means (the path taken), and the Foreseen Consequences.
| Feature | Motive | Intention |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | The internal feeling/desire that initiates action. | The conscious aim and the plan to achieve it. |
| Nature | Subjective and emotional. | Objective and rational. |
| Scope | Narrower (just the "why"). | Broader (includes the end, means, and results). |