Action vs. Intention

[Eldanen]

Which do you focus on more, and why?

I tend to focus more on action. I often don't have a problem if the other person's intention isn't something I'd normally like. I don't care if someone does something to show off or whatever, as long as it's actually fun .

Also, the road to hell is paved with good intentions .

 

[miss fortune]

We actually discussed this on vent the other evening when I was wondering if you can be a bad person if your intentions are nothing but good (and excluding psychos like Hitler!).

Action is what you're judged on, but I think that's a bit unfair. Intentions should receive some weight as well, as they're the truer judge of a person's good or bad traits, I'd think.

Some of us tend to have good intentions, but blunder around and screw up our actions so that it ends up making us look like bad people

 

[Eldanen]

We actually discussed this on vent the other evening when I was wondering if you can be a bad person if your intentions are nothing but good (and excluding psychos like Hitler!).

Action is what you're judged on, but I think that's a bit unfair. Intentions should receive some weight as well, as they're the truer judge of a person's good or bad traits, I'd think.

Some of us tend to have good intentions, but blunder around and screw up our actions so that it ends up making us look like bad people

Of course, it's also arguable that we as humans cannot process intention and action separately when we see both of them and understand them in our minds. They're probably intertwined. So I don't think it's possible to judge someone solely on action or intention.

 

[miss fortune]

Of course, it's also arguable that we as humans cannot process intention and action separately when we see both of them and understand them in our minds. They're probably intertwined. So I don't think it's possible to judge someone solely on action or intention.

I can't help but to view them at the same time.

Action is judgement and intention is the forgiveness for some, vice versa if your intentions are evil but you screw up and accidentally do something good!

To judge by actions is human- to judge by intentions is humane. I think a balance of both is needed in order to get the full picture on the person in question.

 

[disregard]

Action.

Negligence is a product of choice, and if the intentions are strong enough, they will produce action!

Talk is cheap, but if you observe what the person is trying to accomplish with their words, you will have another action to judge.

 

[proteanmix]

Oooh, this is a hard.

A "good" intention is dependent on interpretation of the recipient and the outcome. Good outcomes have come from bad intentions and vice versa.

Truly knowing someone meant well or wasn't purposely trying to cause harm usually softens the blow of a bad outcome. If I had to say which one I focused on more, I think actions would slightly edge out intentions because a bad intention can pan out to nothing but once it's done, it's done.

 

[Atomic Fiend]

Both.

 

[Eldanen]

Oooh, this is a hard.

A "good" intention is dependent on interpretation of the recipient and the outcome. Good outcomes have come from bad intentions and vice versa.

Truly knowing someone meant well or wasn't purposely trying to cause harm usually softens the blow of a bad outcome. If I had to say which one I focused on more, I think actions would slightly edge out intentions because a bad intention can pan out to nothing but once it's done, it's done.

I think we have a Catch-22 situation here, hehe.

 

[ajblaise]

Well action is easily observable, we can only theorize about what someone's intentions were. So I'd focus more on action.

But so we can find out what causes people to act in a certain way, we need to learn about intent and why people intend to do certain things.

 

[nolla]

Intention. If I am motivated to do something that isn't in accord with my values, there is something wrong with me. So, I can't cut any slack with my intentions.

 

[INTJMom]

I agree with whatever.
I don't judge people based on their actions alone (not that I go around judging people).
Their intentions have weight also.
It's tough to fault someone who's doing the best they can.

 

[LucrativeSid]

If you're asking which one I prefer to focus on when it comes to judging someone else, I'd say action, but only because I have to pick one. They are both helpful, but I'm not empathetic enough in most situations to value intentions more than actions. At least actions speak for themselves.

 

[kiddykat]

Some of us tend to have good intentions, but blunder around and screw up our actions so that it ends up making us look like bad people

Totally agreed.

Some peoples' actions are just for 'show.' Though with the best intentions, some people come off the wrong way at times, due to their inability to effectively get their point across. In my experiences, it's the little things that count most. For me actions + intentions are important, however, I think intentions weigh more heavily. It reveals the true nature of a persons' sincerity. That's just my opinion. Everyone has their way of seeing things.

 

[Shaula]

Both. I think we need to weigh intentions and actions against each other to measure a proper response to the situation. However I always fallback on the notion that we are all going to be dead someday. So in the end, we all loose no matter what we do or think. XD

 

[01011010]

Is this in reference to perceived negativity?

If so, I suppose both are important if a situation is directly affecting me. Though, most people's "morals" or lack thereof do not move me either way.

 

[Magic Poriferan]

If there is any such thing as good and bad, then it is surely defined by consequences. That is to say, something can only be judged on value based on it's impact on the state of things. Therefore, actions are more important. If you think you can figure out someone's intent, that can be helpful, but only for the pupose of learning how to persuade them and predict their future behavior. In the end, the importants of all of this falls back on the actions of a person sooner or later.

So a person's intents a somewhat relevant in determining their value, but it is substantially less important than their actions.

 

[LucrativeSid]

Let's say someone barrows money from me, intends to pay me back, and fails to do so. Either their intention was weak or completely fake, or they truly tried to do it and just couldn't. In my opinion, if you actually intend to do something, you at least TRY. Trying is action. Action directly indicates intentions. So this is another reason why I prefer actions. It's a case of proof over claims.

 

[pippi]

I always want to know the reasons why people do things so I'm interested in intentions.

 

[kiddykat]

How I see it is intentions cause action or inaction. The underlying reasons behind it is what intrigues me.

 

[The Ü™]

Let's just say that if a person's ill intentions somehow turn out to be a beneficial outcome toward me, it will be a double dose of enjoying the action towards me as well as the person's dismay for a foiled plan.

Yes, I pay more attention to actions. Some of the worst things imaginable are done with the best intentions.