Suppose, just suppose, that you could travel back in time and kill baby Adolf Hitler. Forget about the Law of Unintended Consequences. Forget about doubt (eg, is it him?). The Greater Good theory would applaud your act. Criminal law would argue that you murdered a (still) innocent child. Hence, my question: if Good does bad, does Good become Bad?
Some 15 years ago, I said some (very) bad words to my daughter, whom I love, after weeks of being provoked by her. My harsh words were deliberate as I wanted to retaliate and hurt her. My words might be one of the few instances in my life that I regret (my blogs). Even today, I’m not sure that I regret what I’ve said. Moreover, I feel no guilt, remorse or shame (my blogs).
Her provocations stopped and/but my bad words have been haunting me ever since. My conscience needs to live with what I’ve said. Some day, I’ll be held accountable and responsible (my blogs). There’s no point in denying, which would equal lying. The only (moral) issue that matters is this one: did I have good or bad intentions?
Our choice between good or bad words, deeds and intentions (my blogs) is an essential concept in Zoroastrianism, a faith / religion in time in between Sumerian (religious) beliefs, and the three main Abrahamic religions (ie, Christianity, Islam and Judaism).
There’s a dilemma though: deeds and words can be good while intentions are bad. Similarly, deeds and words can be bad while intentions are good. Hence, our intentions determine whether we are good or bad persons. Intentions can be well hidden in a court of law.
Morality and laws are often about dualism (eg, good vs bad, legal vs illegal, right vs wrong). The distinction between deeds, words & intentions is an example of trialism (my blogs). Intentions can be revealed but cannot be measured. The only person that knows your true intentions is you. You have to live with your intentions. No one else. Hence, a conscience is a burden.
Intentions, Words & Deeds mirror my triangle of Love, Knowledge & Power (my blogs). Deeds reflect Power. Words contain Knowledge. Hence, can intentions ever be bad if you love someone?
“True remorse is never just regret over consequence; it is regret over motive.” A quote by Mignon McLaughlin (1913-1983), an American author and journalist.
0 Comments