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direct object

direct object In this historical usage, a direct object is the immediate aim or focus of a tendency to action, such as others' interest in altruistic conduct or self-interest in egoistic conduct.

In this historical usage, a direct object is the immediate aim or focus of a tendency to action, such as others' interest in altruistic conduct or self-interest in egoistic conduct. It refers to what the action is directly directed toward.

Also see

Sources

Drafting source: Baldwin Dictionary of Philosophy and Psychology, 1901. 1901 New York Macmillan original; archive index checked 2026-10-18. “Altruism (in ethics)” (Altruism (in ethics)).
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PsychTerms (psychterms.org), CC BY 4.0, version 1. “direct object.” Development preview.

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