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Posted by Kris Krieger on December 21, 2007, 6:49 pm
> "Kris Krieger"> wrote
>> I think it also matter what's in the "heart" so to speak. If someone
>> does something but at the time, doesn't realize it was wrong, but
>> later regrets having done it, I think the regret counts. Also,
>> sometimes one does something harmful when that was not what had been
>> intended - or also, accidents happen. ANd differnt people have
>> different capabilities. Some things obviously are just wrong no
>> matter what, but the hting is that nobody is perfect, nobody can be
>> perfect all the time, so I think that intention plays a part. But
>> that's different than this nonsense of being a total sh*t, and then
>> saying "I'm sorry" because one gets to a point where one begins to
>> fear the potential punishment.
>
>
> I've had a real problem with the word *intent* for a few years now and
> I still haven't worked it through, maybe I never will.
> It centers on the fact that you can never know the true intent of
> another and even if you did it doesn't change the outcome.
> As far as actions that harm others goes, in a way I don't think intent
> should even be in the picture because it detracts from the end result
> - which is that through one persons actions another was harmed and has
> thus suffered a loss of some sort.
> I kinda believe justice should be based on the result not the intent.
> Like I said, I'm working through it.
In this particular casde, it relates to the idea of Final Judgement and
not so much to human justice. At teh same time, intent does play a part
there as well - if one does something stupid, or something that turns out
all wrong, the reactions of others will often take intent into
consideration. That doesn't mean that some sort of correction won't be
dealt out, but it does influence the severity of the
correction/punishment.
FOr many actions, of course, intent has little to do with it - if a
persongets drunk out of thier skull, and plows into a daycare centerand
kills a bunch of kids, the fact ia that they chose to get drunk, and then
to get behind the wheel.
As for diving the intentions of others - well, I can't offer anyone any
guidance in that area - that's part of my "problem", that lack of
instinct about people. Theoretically, I know all sorts fo psychological,
sociological, emotional, and etc., reasons, drives, instigators, and so
on. A lot fo people have found that helpful - but I have absolutely no
ability whatsoever to apply any of it to personal situations, ones
wherein I am directly involved. So, regarding that whole topic (knowing
other poeple's intentions), all I can offer is theory - any practical
application is up to the other person...
At the same time, as I have gotten older, and realized how often (and how
badly!) my own intentions have been, and are, misconstrued, I've also
gotten a bit mroe generous when dealing directly with others, because I
realize (with age) that I *don't* know their intentions, and i realize
(with age) that some of the goofiest things are done with the best
intentions. So I've ended up being something of a "diplomat" in the
quibbles of others, because I can point out that such-and-such an action
or word was done with good intentions but a lack of understanding.
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