NationStates Jolt Archive


which would you consider closer to a moral action?

The odd one
22-04-2005, 14:01
doing the right thing for the wrong reason
or
doing the wrong thing for the right reason.

i realise it's very vague and depends on lots of variables, but i was wondering what people make of it.
Bolol
22-04-2005, 14:05
I'd rather do the right thing for the right reason...but given no choice, I'd rather do the wrong thing for the right reason.
San haiti
22-04-2005, 14:06
Right thing for the wrong reason.

Its all about effects.
Preebles
22-04-2005, 14:09
Right thing for the wrong reason.

Its all about effects.
I'd say the other way around, because morality is about intentions. That said, the option you chose may be preferable, just not more moral.
Pure Metal
22-04-2005, 14:11
doing the right thing for the wrong reason
or
doing the wrong thing for the right reason.

i realise it's very vague and depends on lots of variables, but i was wondering what people make of it.
argh, too abstract for me... all i can think of is the arguements for/against utilitarianism :headbang:


i suppose the right thing for the wrong reason. better than doggedly sticking to your guns/principles and doing the wrong thing for the right reason
The odd one
22-04-2005, 14:13
i suppose i'd better give my stance. I'd rather do the wrong thing thing for the right reason. I'd much prefer having the wrong thing done to me for the right reason, as the other way round seems kind of manipulative.
Cromotar
22-04-2005, 14:16
Right thing for the wrong reason is better. "Right reason" is highly subjective, meaning that the reasons may not be right for someone else. The "thing", however, is a physically tangible and observable effect. Whether the effect is good or not can be subjective as well, but not as much as the reason.

As the saying goes: "The path to Hell is paved with good intentions."
The odd one
22-04-2005, 14:19
I'vce just realised that it depends very much on time. there might be a huge difference between stances depending on wether they are about to happen or have happened already.

:confused: :confused: :confused:
Yupaenu
22-04-2005, 16:34
doing the right thing for the wrong reason
or
doing the wrong thing for the right reason.

i realise it's very vague and depends on lots of variables, but i was wondering what people make of it.

wronge thing for the right reason. how and why something is done is much much more important than what actually is done.
UpwardThrust
22-04-2005, 16:35
doing the right thing for the wrong reason
or
doing the wrong thing for the right reason.

i realise it's very vague and depends on lots of variables, but i was wondering what people make of it.
By my personal morals wrong thing for the right reason
Legless Pirates
22-04-2005, 16:37
right thing for the wrong reasons.

If it works out right (FOR EVERYONE) I don't see how it can be morally wrong
No Good Patsy
22-04-2005, 16:42
wrong thing right reason implies that you had good intentions but that it all went wrong.

right thing wrong reason implies that you had bad intentions but that it all went wrong.

I guess I'd rather be the sort of person that tries to do the right thing so I'm for wrong thing - right reason...
Mazalandia
22-04-2005, 17:37
This may be cyclic but
(Scenario #1) The right thing for the wrong reason suggests the the action is right regardless of the reason
(Scenario #2) The wrong thing for the right reason suggests the action is wrong regardless of the reason
Therefore the moral option for me is Scenario #1, as the action is still right, regardless of motivation.
Where as Scenario #2 is morally wrong. This is beacause it suggests that any action is acceptable if the reason is right. That would be morally unacceptable to many, and is to me
Pyromanstahn
22-04-2005, 17:46
doing the right thing for the wrong reason
or
doing the wrong thing for the right reason.

i realise it's very vague and depends on lots of variables, but i was wondering what people make of it.

The wrong thing for the right reason. I don't mean that I'd feel better about doing that, I and if I could chose now about what I would do some time in the future I would rather do a good thing for the wrong reason, as that way all that is harmed is my sense of morality. Still, having good intentions is still closer to a moral action.
Armed Bookworms
22-04-2005, 18:29
Since the road to hell is paved with good intentions I'm going with right choice for the wrong reasons Regis.
Deleuze
22-04-2005, 18:53
argh, too abstract for me... all i can think of is the arguements for/against utilitarianism :headbang:


i suppose the right thing for the wrong reason. better than doggedly sticking to your guns/principles and doing the wrong thing for the right reason
The funny thing is, you're right. This is a question about whether utilitarianism or deontology is preferable. It's just phrased differently.
Neo-Anarchists
22-04-2005, 19:00
Morally, doing the wrong thing for the right reason would be right. it's all about the reasons.
However, I am quite sure there are situations where I'd much rather have it happen the other way around.