ABSTRACT
Moral judgments are commonly said to be passed upon conduct and character. This is a convenient mode of expression, but needs explanation. The term "conduct" includes various elements into which the subjects of moral judgments may be resolved. More strictly speaking, however, the moral judgments people pronounce on acts do not really relate to the event but to the intention; and a moral judgment may refer to a mere intention, independently of its being realized or not. If moral judgments are passed on intentions and deliberate wishes, it follows that they may, in many cases, be passed on motives. The term "motive" has been defined in different ways. If the motive is not considered when an act is called right, it may seem natural that it should not be considered either when an act is called wrong. A volition may have reference not only to the doing of a thing, but to the refraining from doing a thing.
