LessWrong (Curated & Popular) “High-level actions don’t screen off intent” by AnnaSalamon
Sep 13, 2025
Explore the fascinating interplay between actions and intentions in human behavior. Discover how the true motivations behind our deeds, like charitable donations, can shape perceptions and outcomes. Unpack the micro-details that reveal whether an apology is heartfelt or merely strategic. Delve into why understanding these nuances is crucial for both givers and receivers, ultimately highlighting the complexity of human interaction.
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Intent Shows Up In Micro-Details
- High-level outcomes don't fully capture agents' intents because low-level micro-details differ based on motive.
- Those micro-differences change interpersonal impact even when the observable action (like donating) is the same.
Same Action, Different Downstream Effects
- Donating or performing an action for different motives may yield the same immediate result but different downstream effects.
- Treating outcome as the only thing that matters overlooks how intent shapes context and future responses.
Emotion Alters Expression Subtly
- Apologies or acts of kindness differ in wording and expression depending on whether you genuinely care or want to stop complaints.
- Those subtle differences reliably change how the other person experiences and responds to you.