- it is the purpose which the doer wishes to achieve by such action
- it gives direction and motivation to an act = without a motive, an act is meaningless, and accident
- it comes FIRST in the mind as intention and occurs LAST in the action as its culmination or fulfillment
WHAT IS A GOOD MOTIVE?
= one which is consistent with the dignity of the human person
= one which is in accordance with the truth, justice, prudence andtemperance
BAD MOTIVE = one which grows from selfishness - such motive provokes action detrimental to others
- Excessive indulgence of the self - a form of personal injustice to oneself, nursing the greed that destroys others
Action springing from the self seeking its goal = such desire must be moderated by prudence and fairness
Old Testament = a good man is called a just man
|
- he acts rightly out of respect for himself
And out of his concern for others
Ø THE END DOES NOT JUSTIFY THE MEANS
- to the doer = an act is a means of achieving an aim or purpose
Ex. we study = to acquire knowledge, to pass the course, to receive a degree, to qualify for a job
Wrong = to attempt at a good purpose by evil means
Examples:
- Student may not cheat in an exam in order to graduate
- Employee may not fake his documents in order to be promoted in job
- Public official may not accept bribe in order to finance a health center
The axiom "The End does not justify the Means"
- means that the worthiness of purpose does not make an evil act good
(nothing is more pernicious than for a hoodlum to believe that he is justified in robbing the rich because he wants to share the loot with the poor = Robin Hood)
Ø INSIGHTS ON THE EFFECTS OF THE MOTIVE ON THE ACTION
(Paul Glenn)
a) An evil act which is done on account of an evil motive is grievously wrong (an objectively evil act performed for an evil purpose takes on a new malice from the evil end. If it has several evil ends, it takes on new malice from each)
b) A good action done on account of an evil motive becomes evil itself (An act which is objectively good but done for an evil end is entirely evil. If the evil end is the whole motive of the act, an act is gravely evil if the evil end is gravely evil, and an act is only partially evil if the evil is neither gravely evil nor the whole motive of the act)
c) A good action done on account of a good purpose acquires an additional merit (an objectively good act performed for a good purpose takes on a new goodness from the good end if it has several good ends)
d) An indifferent act may either become good or bad depending on the motive
e) An objectively evil act can never become good by reason of a good end
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