[I]t is rather the case that we desire something because…
“[I]t is rather the case that we desire something because we believe it to be good than that we believe a thing to be good because we desire it. It is the thought that starts things off.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Desire precedes judgment of goodness; we want things because we think they’re good, not because they’re good because we want them.
In simple terms: We want things we think are good, not the other way around.
Recognize how desire shapes moral judgments.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal decision making
- ethical reasoning
- consumer behavior
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you examine why you value something?
- How does desire influence your moral choices?
Desire can be manipulated, leading to biased judgments.