Understanding the internal mechanisms of human conduct.
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.
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:
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?"
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). |
Philosophers debate whether moral judgment is passed on the Motive or the Intention. The generally accepted view in modern ethics is that we judge the Intention.