Agents Quote by Ernest Sosa
“If a shot aimed at aptness succeeds aptly, it is then fully apt, since it is not only apt but also aptly apt. But the full aptness of such an attempt is entirely compatible with its being a horrible murder, if the "hunter" is an assassin and the prey his victim. That hunter's shot may still be outstandingly, fully apt, if it manifests the agent's competence in both archery dexterity and shot selection.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Philosophical Investigations on Aptness, 1999
The quote highlights that an action can be technically perfect yet morally reprehensible, separating skill from ethical judgment.
In simple terms: Skill can be perfect even when immoral.
Key Takeaway
Assess competence and morality separately.
Themes
ethics
skill
morality
competence
Mood
conflicted
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- archery competition
- legal judgments
- professional performance
- military actions
Key Concepts
instrumental rationality
moral evaluation
Questions to Reflect On
- Can a flawless act be ethically acceptable?
- How do we judge competence when outcomes are harmful?
A Different Perspective
Perfect execution does not justify harmful intent.
![“I don't see [ Trainspotting ] as an albatross, I see it more as a calling card. It's got me out to Hollywood, I've got a good agent, I've got a good manager, I'm getting a lot of work out there and doing a lot of stuff - getting a lot of film projects on the go.” quote by Irvine Welsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/918/irvine-welsh-843_agents_i-don-t-see-trainspotting-as-an-albatros_7750.jpg)
