It is said that desire is a product of the will, but the converse is in fact true: will is a product of desire.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Contrary to common belief, Diderot claims that desire drives the will, meaning our wants shape our choices more than our choices shape our wants.
- In plain terms
- We choose what we want, not what we choose.
- What can you take from it?
- Desire motivates action more than pure willpower.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is free will real if desire drives it?
- How do we control our desires?
Another view
It reduces human agency to mere biological or psychological impulses.
More from Denis Diderot
The infant runs toward it with its eyes closed, the adult is stationary, the old man approaches it with his back turned.
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