Intentions count. But we all know that they don't protect us from doing wrong. Some of the Nazis genuinely believed they were helping Germany. The British thought their imperalism was bringing civilization. Individuals did ugly things that should have offended their sensibilities but cloaked themselves in ideas of virtue. There is a body of psychology research that people tend to think they are more virtuous than average, more virtuous than others--just like we think we are above-average drivers. My personal standard is to do things I assess as ethical even if I don't "feel like it" or feel "virtuous" doing it. Often, my shortcut is to ask the opinion of someone else I think of as highly ethical.
UNICEF retiree, now active in local organizations in northern New Mexico, with a specific focus on combatting / resolving the climate crisis. But with little hope in my heart.
Because a personal hobbyhorse of mine is Censorship, and because I’m a literature person, I find my thoughts running to the pernicious interplay of Cancel Culture and Censorship, which results in our students being deprived, or depriving themselves, of many of our greatest works of literary fiction. And because I’m a literature person, I’m reminded of Utilitarianism as powerfully excoriated by Charles Dickens in his novel, “Hard Times.” The central utilitarian character is Thomas Gradgrind (note “grind” in his last name), a school board superintendent and father whose relentless emphasis on facts and reason punishes children for enjoying artistic entertainment such as storybooks about fairies and watching circus performers.
Intentions count. But we all know that they don't protect us from doing wrong. Some of the Nazis genuinely believed they were helping Germany. The British thought their imperalism was bringing civilization. Individuals did ugly things that should have offended their sensibilities but cloaked themselves in ideas of virtue. There is a body of psychology research that people tend to think they are more virtuous than average, more virtuous than others--just like we think we are above-average drivers. My personal standard is to do things I assess as ethical even if I don't "feel like it" or feel "virtuous" doing it. Often, my shortcut is to ask the opinion of someone else I think of as highly ethical.
They are not ethical unless suffused with ethical content coming from elsewhere. That is a strong statement! Thank you for clarifying.
UNICEF retiree, now active in local organizations in northern New Mexico, with a specific focus on combatting / resolving the climate crisis. But with little hope in my heart.
I think this is an excellent essay. Thank you.
Because a personal hobbyhorse of mine is Censorship, and because I’m a literature person, I find my thoughts running to the pernicious interplay of Cancel Culture and Censorship, which results in our students being deprived, or depriving themselves, of many of our greatest works of literary fiction. And because I’m a literature person, I’m reminded of Utilitarianism as powerfully excoriated by Charles Dickens in his novel, “Hard Times.” The central utilitarian character is Thomas Gradgrind (note “grind” in his last name), a school board superintendent and father whose relentless emphasis on facts and reason punishes children for enjoying artistic entertainment such as storybooks about fairies and watching circus performers.