Understanding Intention and Competence
Intention and competence are two distinct concepts that play a significant role in shaping human values.
- Intention refers to our conscious desire to act in a way that aligns with our values. It's the motivation behind our actions.
- Competence, on the other hand, represents our ability to act in accordance with our values. It's about having the skills, knowledge, and resources to translate our intentions into reality.
The Relationship Between Intention and Competence
While both intention and competence are crucial for living by our values, they often don't exist in perfect harmony.
- We might have strong intentions to be environmentally conscious, but lack the knowledge or resources to make sustainable choices.
- Similarly, we might have the skills to help others, but our intentions might be clouded by selfishness or apathy.
Examples:
- Intention: A student intends to study hard for an exam to achieve a high score.
- Competence: The student possesses the necessary study skills and time management abilities to succeed.
- Gap: If the student lacks the necessary study skills or time management skills, their intention to study hard might not translate into a good score.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between intention and competence is essential for personal growth and achieving our goals. It helps us identify areas where we need to improve our skills and develop the resources to translate our values into action.
