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.
You are absolutely right, Temma. I wasn't claiming that subjective intentions are virtuous or reliable standards for action. They are not ethical unless suffused with ethical content coming from elsewhere. And you are certainly right- we are all biased to look good in our own eyes. My point was a different one, namely to understand an action in its full context, we need to take into account the subjective intentions of the actors. In the inner life lies a sensitive and essential element of our humanity. Empathy, forgiveness and other ethical attributes, which as a wide generalization I believe our society does have enough of, all need to take account of the interiority of others.
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.
And thank you! I am grateful for the literary reference. This a dark time for censorship - but not the only one. If you have access to the New Yorker, you might look at the article by Jill Lepore (she marvelous) in this issue on censorship, the current schools wars and Dr. Seuss. Fraught, scary, times, indeed.
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.
You are absolutely right, Temma. I wasn't claiming that subjective intentions are virtuous or reliable standards for action. They are not ethical unless suffused with ethical content coming from elsewhere. And you are certainly right- we are all biased to look good in our own eyes. My point was a different one, namely to understand an action in its full context, we need to take into account the subjective intentions of the actors. In the inner life lies a sensitive and essential element of our humanity. Empathy, forgiveness and other ethical attributes, which as a wide generalization I believe our society does have enough of, all need to take account of the interiority of others.
They are not ethical unless suffused with ethical content coming from elsewhere. That is a strong statement! Thank you for clarifying.
You are indeed most welcome!
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.
Many thanks, Paula, for your interest. We all need hope where we can find it. Wishing you well.
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.
And thank you! I am grateful for the literary reference. This a dark time for censorship - but not the only one. If you have access to the New Yorker, you might look at the article by Jill Lepore (she marvelous) in this issue on censorship, the current schools wars and Dr. Seuss. Fraught, scary, times, indeed.