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RE: [Food for Thought] The ends do not justify the means, but do the means justify the ends?
But intentions affect your actions, and actions have consequences. The link between our intentions and how we act is so imperfect that sometimes our original goals don't filter through at all. I think what you're saying is that what actually happens is the result of actions, not that intentions have literally no effect on the world.
I'm not that familiar with freemasonry and enjoyed learning a bit.
Thanks!
Yeah, I was hoping the freemasonry bit would be valuable to people, since most don't know anything about it, but it's a very old tradition and rich with insight. As with all philosophical systems, it should be taken for what it is and not accepted blindly, but the perspectives it provides are incredibly valuable.
I still contend intentions have no effect on reality. This certainly doesn't mean that intentions aren't important -- they absolutely are. One's intentions inform what world he will build and whether others will help or oppose him, but his actions are the only things that affect how that world turns out. The physical world does not give two bits about intentions. The same action will yield the same result, regardless of the intent behind it. The intent behind it will define what further actions the mason takes upon realizing the results of his previous actions, though.
It was valuable to me. I heard about it from my grandfather and thought it was silly that only men attend and they wear a ring, but I also know there's more to it than that.
I see what you're saying. Our definitions of "having an effect" just differ.