I Intend...
To write a blog on intent. I am motivated to write about motivations.
How important are motives? I mean if a person does the right thing why does it matter why they do it? Some people will observe a kind act and dismiss it or not give it any credit because they do not trust the motives of the person performing the act.
I recall reading an editorial from an Indian woman after Mother Theresa passed away. She trashed Mother Theresa's motives in helping the poor of India. She said Mother Theresa was only helping the poor to save her soul from heckfire. Does it matter why Mother Theresa helped the poor?
When I was in a training program, the classes ace was trying to help one of our colleagues who was failing and she got real snippy with him. "Jim! You are just trying to show off." Not too blow my own horn, but she was willing for me to help her. What difference did it make to her that Jim may have been trying to show off, when she desperately needed the help?
Now we can have the situation about motivations when it comes to evil as well as good. Two cases come to mind very quickly. Hate crimes and the so called CIA leak case.
What difference does it make? Well the common argument (for at least one side of the debate) in hate crimes is the perpetrator's motivation does not make a the victim any more dead or their arm any more broken. However, with respect to Scooter Libby motivation is a very big part of his defense and (possibly) why he wasn't charged with revealing Valerie Plame's identity.
Most likely Scooter's attorney will argue Scooter's misstatements were not motivated by deceit but by something we are all afflicted with forgetfulness and getting things mixed up, after all anyone at that level must have a real hectic life. Intent is an important part of the law regarding revealing the identity of CIA covert agents, you do it because you are clumsy or bumbling you have not committed a crime, you do it to harm with intent to harm the national security then you have committed a crime. It all comes down to motivation.
Motivation is one of those things that is hard to prove. It requires looking into the hearts of people and if it is hard for a person to see clear their heart how hard for another?
Hate crimes are an easier matter. Strong emotion usually makes itself very plain, still is an arm anymore broken or a person anymore dead because their assailant hates them?
How important are motives? I mean if a person does the right thing why does it matter why they do it? Some people will observe a kind act and dismiss it or not give it any credit because they do not trust the motives of the person performing the act.
I recall reading an editorial from an Indian woman after Mother Theresa passed away. She trashed Mother Theresa's motives in helping the poor of India. She said Mother Theresa was only helping the poor to save her soul from heckfire. Does it matter why Mother Theresa helped the poor?
When I was in a training program, the classes ace was trying to help one of our colleagues who was failing and she got real snippy with him. "Jim! You are just trying to show off." Not too blow my own horn, but she was willing for me to help her. What difference did it make to her that Jim may have been trying to show off, when she desperately needed the help?
Now we can have the situation about motivations when it comes to evil as well as good. Two cases come to mind very quickly. Hate crimes and the so called CIA leak case.
What difference does it make? Well the common argument (for at least one side of the debate) in hate crimes is the perpetrator's motivation does not make a the victim any more dead or their arm any more broken. However, with respect to Scooter Libby motivation is a very big part of his defense and (possibly) why he wasn't charged with revealing Valerie Plame's identity.
Most likely Scooter's attorney will argue Scooter's misstatements were not motivated by deceit but by something we are all afflicted with forgetfulness and getting things mixed up, after all anyone at that level must have a real hectic life. Intent is an important part of the law regarding revealing the identity of CIA covert agents, you do it because you are clumsy or bumbling you have not committed a crime, you do it to harm with intent to harm the national security then you have committed a crime. It all comes down to motivation.
Motivation is one of those things that is hard to prove. It requires looking into the hearts of people and if it is hard for a person to see clear their heart how hard for another?
Hate crimes are an easier matter. Strong emotion usually makes itself very plain, still is an arm anymore broken or a person anymore dead because their assailant hates them?
posted by Marcus Aurelius at 8:44 PM
<< Home