Intentions vs. actions

I was talking about this with my psychologist yesterday, and would love to hear a few more opinions.

Basically I was telling her that I'm a horrible selfish person etc. because even when I do good things my intentions/motivations are often entirely selfish.

She told me that it's irrelevant what your intentions are if something good comes from it. She used the example of feeding the homeless. If you're feeding the homeless simply because it's a good thing to do, or because you want some sort of recognition/praise, it still results in the homeless getting fed. So it's a good thing, even if your reasons for it are selfish.

I just don't believe that. I think intentions are very important, regardless of your actions. Part of that is from a religious background, the idea that God knows your every thought, and that good acts don't get you to heaven, but even though I don't fully believe that any more, I still believe that intentions are more meaningful than actions.

What does everyone else think?

I'm glad that someone raised this question.

I agree with you. I think that your intentions are VERY important, regardless if you're doing something for the good of others or not. I mean, if you choose to go feed the homeless, because it makes you feel better yourself, isn't that still selfish? I mean, I do this sometimes - other times I have a true interest in humanity and helping others. But I like to feel good KNOWING that is my intention, and not for a self-serving purpose. I mean, either way, yes, the homeless get fed, but still - isn't it the driving force behind it that counts?

I think so.

AMP

flowingtears wrote:She told me that it's irrelevant what your intentions are if something good comes from it. She used the example of feeding the homeless. If you're feeding the homeless simply because it's a good thing to do, or because you want some sort of recognition/praise, it still results in the homeless getting fed. So it's a good thing, even if your reasons for it are selfish.

I think it's totally relevent. The person that chooses to do a good act because their looking for praise or recognition is doing nothing more than "USING" the homeless in order to achieve their selfish wishes. I don't see how using someone is a good thing. So, yes it's good that the homeless were fed, that is a good act, but the person that fed the homeless is shallow, selfish, and driven only by what they have to gain. Basically, with the example above if there was no recognition or praise, then the homeless wouldn't have been fed.

Doing a good act for selfish reasons does not make a good person. The other probem is could you really ever trust someone with questionable motives? I couldn't. I'd always be doubting them with jut about everything..

I think she is right, except for communication behavior, like lying, joking or even friendship.
Her view is actually quite traditional and used to be the dominant religious view.

Is it even possible for one to be non-selfish? If you think about it, almost anything can be seen as selfish... any act of help or aid can be seen as done to make the person feel better about themselves. Surely even the most altruistic people feel good when they give to others. Even if they don't perceive themselves as doing it because it makes them feel good, it's certainly a reason why they keep doing it.

Hucal wrote:Is it even possible for one to be non-selfish?

Yes - give clothes to goodwill/thrift shop.. It doesn't make you feel good/bad. It just means you don't want to throw the clothes away in garbage, you're just throwing them away to goodwill. That's something I could do.

Her view is actually quite traditional and used to be the dominant religious view.

Doing something because it makes you feel good, and your helping others is NOT a bad thing. The "intent" behind it is to help others, and in the process of doing so it makes you feel good (this would be a Christian viewpoint). It becomes questionable/warped when you're "intent' is for recognition or praise and the good deed is the means in which you get there (that would be an un-Christian viewpoint).. or another way of putting it would be.. You don't give a f**k about the homeless all you care about is that you're getting some sort of recognition/praise or bragging rights. <--- this probably applies to 99% of all politians..

Selfish motives are not a Chrisitan viewpoint.

Box, we're always on the same page.

I found out how to do photobucket! I'm gonna send you my link!

AMP

cboxpalace wrote:

Hucal wrote:Is it even possible for one to be non-selfish?

Yes - give clothes to goodwill/thrift shop.. It doesn't make you feel good/bad. It just means you don't want to throw the clothes away in garbage, you're just throwing them away to goodwill. That's something I could do.

Doing something because it makes you feel good, and your helping others is NOT a bad thing. The "intent" behind it is to help others, and in the process of doing so it makes you feel good (this would be a Christian viewpoint). It becomes questionable/warped when you're "intent' is for recognition or praise and the good deed is the means in which you get there (that would be an un-Christian viewpoint).. or another way of putting it would be.. You don't give a f**k about the homeless all you care about is that you're getting some sort of recognition/praise or bragging rights.

I could argue that because it makes you feel good to get rid of stuff, it is inherently a selfish reason You're giving them away for a reason, either because you need more space, they don't fit anymore, etc. Either way, when someone does anything that helps themselves or someone else, they feel good about it.

I'm not saying it's a bad thing, as obviously other people are being helped. I'm also not saying it's selfish because people are looking to do good things only to receive praise. I'm saying that when people do something nice, they feel good about it. Normal people do not do something if they are not going to feel good, or if they don't get anything out of it.

I suppose it is a philosophical question that differs from person to person... no true answer.

MissAli wrote:Box, we're always on the same page.

I found out how to do photobucket! I'm gonna send you my link!

AMP

Ok!! Are you naked in any of these photo's My "intent" here is extremely selfish, because I want to see naked photo's Ali... I'm thinking only of myself and how it benefits me, and it would...

Now my "intent" would be good if I was concerned that Ali took naked pictures of herself to send to people all over cyber world, and in the process of my concern and discussion with Ali innocently saw like 25 nude photo's by accident...

Lol, youre so funny... No nekkid photos, but tell me if the link works, silly!!!

AMP