Action Quote by Nomy Arpaly
“A very tall man once asked a question after my talk. Before beginning his question, he explained that the reason he was standing up is not to be intimidating but rather to make eye contact. His question was essentially "are we really interested in moral motives? Isn't it all about action?". I pointed out to him that it was not enough for him to do the right thing - stand up - but he also wanted me to know that he is doing it from the right motive or for the right reason - to make eye contact, rather than to be intimidating. Voila, moral psychology.”
About This Quote
Source Talk: Unspecified lecture, date unknown
Moral actions are judged by both the act and the underlying intention; right motives matter as much as right deeds
In simple terms: Both action and motive are essential for moral worth
Key Takeaway
Align actions with sincere motives
Themes
ethics
motivation
psychology
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- Academic discussions
- personal integrity
- leadership decisions
Key Concepts
Moral philosophy
intentionality
Questions to Reflect On
- What motives drive your daily actions?
- How can you ensure motives are authentic?
A Different Perspective
Motive assessment can be subjective and hard to verify
