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INCENTIVE

That which incites a person to action. It is different from motive, which is in the mind as a final cause or purpose for doing something or refraining from it. An incentive is in the will or feelings, as love or hate or disposition, and thus impelling (or appealing) one to act. Actual grace as inspiration may be described as a supernatural incentive.

All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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