--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Though we think intrinsic desires tend to…" description: "\"Though we think intrinsic desires tend to be pretty stable, we do not think they imply anything like the amount of predictability in behavior that trad..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/915/nomy-arpaly-21717_behavior_though-we-think-intrinsic-desires-tend-t_1026434.jpg" --- # Though we think intrinsic desires tend to be pretty… ![“Though we think intrinsic desires tend to be pretty stable, we do not think they imply anything like the amount of predictability in behavior that traditional virtue ethics requires for someone to have a one-word-in-English character trait such as "benevolence". Other things being equal, a person…” quote by Nomy Arpaly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/915/nomy-arpaly-21717_behavior_though-we-think-intrinsic-desires-tend-t_1026434.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/915/nomy-arpaly-21717_behavior_though-we-think-intrinsic-desires-tend-t_1026434.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/915/nomy-arpaly-21717_behavior_though-we-think-intrinsic-desires-tend-t_1026434.jpg) > “Though we think intrinsic desires tend to be pretty stable, we do not think they imply anything like the amount of predictability in behavior that traditional virtue ethics requires for someone to have a one-word-in-English character trait such as "benevolence". Other things being equal, a person with more of a desire for other people's wellbeing will do more for other people's wellbeing, but things are almost never equal.” [Nomy Arpaly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nomy-arpaly/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Desires are relatively stable but do not guarantee consistent behavior enough to define a single character trait like benevolence. **In simple terms:** Desires are stable but not enough for a fixed trait. Key Takeaway Recognize the gap between desire and reliable action. Themes virtue ethics psychology character stability prediction Mood reflective analytical critical Type philosophical ethical theoretical When to use this quote - ethical decision making - personal development - leadership evaluation - relationship counseling Key Concepts moral psychology character formation desire-behavior link Questions to Reflect On - How can we assess character beyond expressed desires? - What mechanisms ensure stable moral behavior? A Different Perspective Desires may be strong yet produce inconsistent actions due to varying circumstances. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior/) [Benevolence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/benevolence/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Character trait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character-trait/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Ethics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethics/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Health](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/health/) [Kindness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kindness/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Predictability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/predictability/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) [Wellbeing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wellbeing/) ## Related quotes > [Kant's description of most ethical duties reads more like a description of moral virtues and vices. 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