Page:An introduction to ethics.djvu/78

 § 3. Desire. Desires may be regarded, at least from one standpoint, as developed impulses. As developed impulses, they differ in two respects from mere impulses, (a) When we act on impulse, the end that we aim at is not usually clearly present to us. In purely impulsive behaviour we are impelled in a certain direction without clearly knowing why. On the other hand, when we desire, we know the end we wish to attain, and we definitely desire something, (b) As we have seen, impulses are isolated and temporary. If an impulse be restrained, it disappears. Impulses do not persist long at the same time, though they may recur again and again. But desires are relatively permanent. If an end that is desired is comprehensive enough, the desire for it may last a life-time. Of course, desires vary in their permanence. Many of our desires are quite capricious. But, on the whole, desires are more permanent and consistent than impulses.

Desires, like impulses, may conflict. Usually a desire for a comprehensive end is opposed by a transient and isolated desire. A student may desire to pass a certain examination. If the examination be a long way ahead, e.g. a Civil Service Examination, the desire to pass it will organise all his studies for years previously. And it will often happen that other desires will conflict with the comprehensive desire to pass the examination. Six months before his examination, he is offered a trip to America. He greatly desires to go, but he knows that it will interfere with his preparation for his examination. If he deliberates well, he will decide for the more comprehensive