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Danielle sonnenberg

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Does Intention Matter?

I absolutely agree about intent but don't you think that even if someone has good intentions, that the actions of a person can still hurt

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    Debra Smith 200+

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    Jun 25 2012: Tme it is crucial in discerning a person's statement and meaning.
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    Alec Chapa

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    Jun 21 2012: I've been thinking about this a lot lately: I called it the difference between the reality of actions and the intention of actions
    I think that intentions do matter a lot, and can make a worlds of difference as John, the speaker, said.
    I think so to such a degree that to fully understand a situation e must look both at the reality of the actions, and the perspective of the doer, as the actions were intended.
    I like to think that we are (mostly) on different levels and planes of existence in the sense that what works for me doesn't necessarily work for you, what i like and how i show gratitude doesn't match yours and so forth. This is basically saying we are all different and this is expressed in how we do things, but never the less, we often carry common intentions.
    Let's say in culture "A" giving a hug is how greetings are done, and in culture "B" hugs are given instead.
    How are two individuals of these cultures to interact? They are on "different bases" as I like to call it.
    What i mean by that is that just as a number in base 8 cannot be calculated (without conversion) with a number in base 10, or a fraction with 4 in the denominator cannot be added to one with 6 in the denominator, we also cannot mix our actions as they will not make literal sense (a hug is not a handshake-period!)
    However, we can find common ground through intentions, such as accepting the good, well-wishing intentions of a "merry christmas" to a non-christian for what they are worth.
    It does, though, get complicated with law and the like, but as always reality and intention ought to be examined the same if we are to fully understand a situation.
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    Teja Tanchangya

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    Jun 19 2012: Purely judging individuals by their behaviors and that the intent does not matter seem to give an individual no chance of correcting oneself or fitting into ways of behaving deemed normal across cultures, personal experiences, and an individual's perceptions. Also, unconscious/unintentional behaviors will tend to be overemphasized. It seems, therefore, desirable not only to have good intent but also to have acceptable behavior. But one may act amiably yet have a bad intent. The issue is then (1) whether it is good for one to acknowledge one's unintentional behavior and assure that he/she did not mean to hurt anybody or (2) whether it is acceptable for someone to behave amiably yet have the greater intent of harming, and probably really harm with hidden tactics.

  • Harry Beam

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    Jun 18 2012: I know all about the intent, the intent I'm working on now if you get my nephew's name out there as a man who has powerful intentions all his life. he just bowled is first 300 game. his intention has always been to be the best bowler he could be. he's bow a few 289 games.,, and just returned this weekend from wisconsin where he came in first place in the tournament . 300 games are played everday the differences he's the first man to ever do it in a wheelchair. his intention has always been to never let anything stop him we start bowling at the age of 8 on a skateboard. he never cared what others thought his intention was to have fun. he works a full time job owns his own home even know is falling down around him in the builder will not fix it. after 11 years on new job his contract ran out with american airlines, he lost all his benefits and started over his intention has always been to never give up to live a full life and never take the easy way out. he will not use an electric wheelchair and the 1 he bowls from is taped together screwed together with the wheels locked in place because he can't afford a bowling wheelchair. he wants to talk to other people in wheelchairs and tell them I can be anything they want to be I hope mister hockenberry sees this and maybe will talk to him. his name is Shawn Beam He Is on youtube As the first bowler in a wheelchair to bowl a 300 game. He wants to be a writer Maybe that's why my intent lead me here. Thank you his uncle. Harry Beam Disable vietnam vet 6869
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    Obey No1kinobe 50+

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    Jun 16 2012: Intentions matter, but so do actions and consequences.

  • Lee Miller 10+

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    Jun 13 2012: The road to Hell is paved with good intentions. Both the act and the intent matter. This is why there are two elements to a crime; the act itself, and the intent behind it.
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    Robert Winner 50+

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    Jun 12 2012: Sure comments are made everyday that strike a nerve on someone.

    It is important to remember that no one can make you feel bad without your permission.

    All the best. Bob

  • Danielle sonnenberg

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    Jun 12 2012: What if you hurt someone but you didn't mean to? For example, I tend to get anxious at times and that may hurt people around me, but I'm not setting out to do that. Or do you think that everything we do is intended whether it is conscious or not?
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    Linda Taylor 50+

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    Jun 12 2012: Not in a court of law.
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      edward long 100+

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      Jun 13 2012: Actually, in court, intention is paramount. The difference between murder and manslaughter is based on whether the act was intentional, or not.
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        Linda Taylor 50+

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        Jun 13 2012: Sorry Ed, thanks for making me clarify.
        Intent is considered both before and after court proceedings. Both in the charges wrought and in the sentencing. But the only outcomes of the court proceedings are 'guilty' or 'not guilty.' Intent does not alter the outcome.
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    Chung Truong Thanh 50+

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    Jun 12 2012: good intent + stupid = harmful
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      edward long 100+

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      Jun 13 2012: Therefore: Harm - Intent= Stupid (acting without intent is stupid). And: Harm - Stupidity = Intent (Faulty reasoning, aka stupidity, did not contribute to the harmful act so it was intentional).
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    Fritzie Reisner 100+

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    Host
    Jun 11 2012: Certainly well-intentioned actions can hurt people.
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