Men might as well be imprisoned, as excluded from the means of earning their bread.
John Stuart MillRead
Normativity, I believe, is very different from motivating force. Neither includes, or implies, the other. Other animals can be motivated by their desires and beliefs. Only we can understand and respond to reasons.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the unique capacity of humans to understand and act upon reasons, distinguishing us from other animals who are driven solely by desires.
Derek Parfit highlights the distinction between normative considerations and motivational factors. While both humans and other animals can be driven by their desires and beliefs, humans have the unique ability to comprehend and react to reasons. This ability to understand norms and reasons is what sets human motivation apart from that of other species and reflects our capacity for rational thought and moral reflection.
Themes
NormativityMotivationReasonPhilosophyHumanity
In practice
Example use cases
In a philosophy class discussing the differences between human and animal cognition.
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