Building upon many years of privately shared thoughts on the real benefits of Stoic Philosophy, Liam Milburn eventually published a selection of Stoic passages that had helped him to live well. They were accompanied by some of his own personal reflections. This blog hopes to continue his mission of encouraging the wisdom of Stoicism in the exercise of everyday life. All the reflections are taken from his notes, from late 1992 to early 2017.
The Death of Marcus Aurelius
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Maxims of Goethe 7
In the works of mankind, as in those of nature, it is really the motive which is chiefly worth attention.
IMAGE: Karl Bauer, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1920)
Others? I'm not quite as sure. I'm thinking of Mother Theresa accepting donations from known corrupt businessmen who just wanted the tax deduction and praise. I think looking at the action of those around us just as they are as actions, without assuming motive either way, can save us both from idolizing/being taken in by the doer and from demonizing them. Assuming or discerning motive seems to be just for if you're somehow in a continuing relationship with the person you're "sizing up".
Or am I just completely misunderstanding what Goethe means here? What's the wider context?
I suppose we're in continuing relationship with an awful lot of people too...
Perhaps the point is that for any act to be "moral", it cannot be separated from the context of motive, the end for which we are giving, and the way we choose to go about receiving. This is also true for Nature in general, where meaning only becomes apparent through design and purpose.
So it is always necessary to ask about the "why", in addition to the "what". Any event takes on its human significance by means of our intentions. This is especially true for the Stoic, where the only complete human good is in our estimation of the circumstances. The object is as good or as bad as its use.
As you say, all of our relationships, however trivial they might seem, are intersections of our mutual aims. Indeed, you are the master of your own motives, and must consider those of others indirectly?
My own, yes. I ought to know myself.
ReplyDeleteOthers? I'm not quite as sure. I'm thinking of Mother Theresa accepting donations from known corrupt businessmen who just wanted the tax deduction and praise. I think looking at the action of those around us just as they are as actions, without assuming motive either way, can save us both from idolizing/being taken in by the doer and from demonizing them. Assuming or discerning motive seems to be just for if you're somehow in a continuing relationship with the person you're "sizing up".
Or am I just completely misunderstanding what Goethe means here? What's the wider context?
I suppose we're in continuing relationship with an awful lot of people too...
Perhaps the point is that for any act to be "moral", it cannot be separated from the context of motive, the end for which we are giving, and the way we choose to go about receiving. This is also true for Nature in general, where meaning only becomes apparent through design and purpose.
DeleteSo it is always necessary to ask about the "why", in addition to the "what". Any event takes on its human significance by means of our intentions. This is especially true for the Stoic, where the only complete human good is in our estimation of the circumstances. The object is as good or as bad as its use.
As you say, all of our relationships, however trivial they might seem, are intersections of our mutual aims. Indeed, you are the master of your own motives, and must consider those of others indirectly?
So it's an observation on human interaction, rather than advice?
ReplyDeleteIt's both? Right deeds flow from right intentions.
Delete