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Does the motive behind a compassionate or charitable act matter at all?
I've always felt that motives matter more than the consequence, though it's admittedly a rather hard stance to support. I despise dishonesty; I think that has something to do with it.Does the motive behind a compassionate or charitable act matter at all?
Ah. Thought-provoking question. I don't believe there is a God judging our thoughts.If the motive behind such an act does matter, who does it matter to, and why?
e: Great, the framing is even less interesting than I thought.
Should we be consequentialists? This is a toughie.
The topic in general. The gist of this discussion is consequentialism vs <other>. A topic that isn't particularly interesting (for easily googleable reasons).Was this directed at me? Or someone else?
The topic in general. The gist of this discussion is consequentialism vs <other>. A topic that isn't particularly interesting (for easily googleable reasons).
Why isn't it interesting, Yossarian22?
All quite true. This is why I think it's best that I try to take other people's actions at face value, and not ascribe motives to them, if I can help it.Motives are rarely one-dimensional. Charitable acts are generally both selflessly and selfishly motivated.
Additionally, I don't know how important motivations generally are, as often people are unaware of their actual motivations for performing an action.
I think the one who acts should consider the consequences as well, not that it necessarily makes an act bad, or the actor, if unintended consequences occurs... but we should do our best to avoid them...When it comes to 'good' and 'bad' we must always consider two things:
The act
The motive
I would question the motives of any one who advertises their charitable acts.
Why make it so esoteric? I'm thinking only those motives you are aware of hold any sort of meaning. Afterall, it's not dishonest if you truly believe you are doing something for such-and-such reason, but your sneaky unconcious holds a second, different reason you are unaware of.Additionally, I don't know how important motivations generally are, as often people are unaware of their actual motivations for performing an action.
Because you can literally google consequentialism and look at the second link and answer the question.Why isn't it interesting, Yossarian22?