more on this theme | more from this thinker | more from this text
Full Idea
Moral 'internalism' says if an agent judges an action as right in some circumstance, then they are either thereby motivated to do it, or they are irrational (e.g. their will is weak).
Gist of Idea
Moral internalism says a judgement of rightness is thereby motivating
Source
Michael Smith (The Moral Problem [1994], 3.1)
Book Ref
Smith,Michael: 'The Moral Problem' [Blackwell 1994], p.61
A Reaction
[Somewhat reworded] So the motivation comes from an internal judgement, not from external factors. Is it not tautological that 'this is the right thing to do' means it should be done (ceteris paribus)?
Related Ideas
Idea 23730 'Rationalism' says the rightness of an action is a reason to perform it [Smith,M]
Idea 23731 'Externalists' say moral judgements are not reasons, and maybe not even motives [Smith,M]