RE: Not A Poll: Does Motivation Affect Morality?
May 9, 2016 at 9:17 pm
(This post was last modified: May 10, 2016 at 11:39 am by Whateverist.)
I find morality very vexing as a topic. In the initial two scenarios I think the guy who donates twice as much but without being motivated to benefit the charity's cause is morally less praiseworthy. Likewise I don't think the woman who steals to feed her child is a bad person. In fact I endorse her action.
But I don't like comparing moral acts. I don't actually think anyone should strive to always do the best thing morally. Only when the moral parameters of a situation are significantly important should one let moral considerations intrude upon his choices.
So neither man in the first example need donate to the charity unless it is one whose goals are ones they wish to further. I don't think donating to a charity whose mission one finds indifferent is as "praise worthy" as it is irrational.
Christianity promotes the maximization of praiseworthy acts while minimizing immoral ones. If one is only living to get into the good place after death and/or avoid the bad place, maybe that makes sense. But it shouldn't for the rest of us. Life is short. One should strive to accomplish that which one finds most meaningful in their life. That could very well entail some form of service to others. But perhaps the aesthetic potential of a situation will be what motivates someone else, or the opportunity for self discovery, adventure or some other challenge. Without religion, there is no reason to live ones life just to accrue brownie points.
Sorry this is half baked but I've started to write something here several times and it constantly eludes me. I hardly think I nailed it this time but I did want to respond before the thread disappears.
But I don't like comparing moral acts. I don't actually think anyone should strive to always do the best thing morally. Only when the moral parameters of a situation are significantly important should one let moral considerations intrude upon his choices.
So neither man in the first example need donate to the charity unless it is one whose goals are ones they wish to further. I don't think donating to a charity whose mission one finds indifferent is as "praise worthy" as it is irrational.
Christianity promotes the maximization of praiseworthy acts while minimizing immoral ones. If one is only living to get into the good place after death and/or avoid the bad place, maybe that makes sense. But it shouldn't for the rest of us. Life is short. One should strive to accomplish that which one finds most meaningful in their life. That could very well entail some form of service to others. But perhaps the aesthetic potential of a situation will be what motivates someone else, or the opportunity for self discovery, adventure or some other challenge. Without religion, there is no reason to live ones life just to accrue brownie points.
Sorry this is half baked but I've started to write something here several times and it constantly eludes me. I hardly think I nailed it this time but I did want to respond before the thread disappears.
