• "Actions speak louder than words."

The only purpose or goal of any action is to affect change. Conversely, the inverse inaction's only purpose is to allow things to remain the same.

There is an exception in a system which requires maintenance¹. In this type of system, the principle is reversed.

Action originates from three sources: the mind (ie, planning), desire (basic needs), and automatic instinct including automatic reflexes, responses, and reactions.

Strategy is a plan of action. In a practical sense, every action (tactic) in a strategy should either gain an advantage or remove a disadvantage.

Direct and Indirect Action

Action can be direct or indirect action.

In direct action the agent acts directly on the object.

An example of indirect action is using a tool to accomplish a goal.

Motivational Limit

Complex action ( that not arising from unconscious or automatic instinct ) is limited by motivation. Moral objectivists who argue that without a moral standard, people would start putting kittens on spikes have missed the point that putting kittens on spikes isn't what someone wants to do with or without an objective moral code.

Lack of Ability

At any time when you decide that you have a lack of ability to perform some action you are in fact deciding that you lack the ability. This could or could not be true. Any time the word can't is used it should be treated as a choice not to act.

See Also

• Behavior
• Change
• Consequence
• Goal
• Failure
• Force
• Freedom
• Instinct
• Obstacle
• Outcome
• Power
• Purpose
• Responsibility
• Strategy
• Tactic