Right versus wrong is a constant human dilemma. But what if they are mixed? If you had to choose between doing the right thing for the wrong reasons or the wrong thing for the right reasons, which would you choose and why? This is the question I asked 5 people for this week’s blog post.
The majority of the respondents chose the wrong thing for the right reasons. The first chose her answer “because if it were life or death such as killing someone in self defense or in protection of someone else, I’d rather do the wrong thing in killing them for the right reasons.” She brings up a good point; however, if it’s a different situation, is it okay to kill one innocent person to protect multiple? Another explained hers by saying that “in my opinion, a person’s intent is really important when you’re considering their actions.” Therefore, she believes someone’s actions should be evaluated by their intentions. For instance, if someone steals to give food to the hungry, their wrongful action would be justified due to their right intentions. Another respondent agrees with the first two but brought up a different scenario. She said that “I’d rather have someone be upset with me, but deep down know I did it because I thought it was right, or I followed my gut feeling.” This way may make complex decisions you make easier to live with. If you made the ultimate wrong decision but take consolation in the fact you did it in the moment for the right reasons, it would be easier to accept.
The other two respondents chose the right thing for the wrong reasons. One of them chose this because their “reasons may be wrong , but I may only be aware of it at a subconscious level such as helping someone because subconsciously I want recognition even if I don’t realize it.” Ultimately, this respondent thinks ending up with the right thing in the end is what is truly important. But at what point do the ends not justify the means? The other respondent thinks this as well because “the wrong thing is always the wrong thing.” She believes that there is always another solution out there besides the wrong thing.
Overall, sometimes people get really caught up in determining what is right and what is wrong. Because of this, some people find it hard to forgive and live with themselves if they do the wrong thing even if it was for the right reasons or did the right thing but through wrong means. In the end, we are all human, and we all make mistakes. So what mistakes are you struggling to live with? How can you move on?
Amy's Questions 