Loading ...What is a morally good motive?
A morally good motive must meet two conditions. A person who has a morally good motive must a) believe that a certain act is right and b) he must have a desire to do what is right. Just believing something is not a motive;just a desire to do what is the right thing to do is not a good motive. Both conditions must be met.
He did it because he believed it was right” really means that he believed it and he wanted to do what is right or his duty. It does not include ‘a desire to do what is the right thing to do’. Hence,he did not act from a morally good motive but from a sense of duty. ‘Wanting to do one’s duty’ must be distinguished from ‘wanting to do what it is right’.
Arthur’s desire to do what is the right thing to do. (Emma’s story)
Arthur not only wanted to do his duty for the church,he also had a desire to do what is the right thing to do. Arthur and the Board had a clear and convincing picture of the church’s finances. The church could not be sustained on its current financial base. On this basis,it had to be closed;hence the Board’s decision to close it.
At the same time,Arthur was mindful of the implications for the parishioners of the decision to close the church. This troubled Arthur immensely because he had a desire to do what is the right thing to do. So,what is the right thing to do for parishioners like Emma who had received support from the church for her entire life? He decided to reconvene the Board and present this moral dilemma and insist on a solution which would meet the second condition of a morally good motive,namely,the desire to do what is the right thing to do.
To read Emma’s story and the support she received from a church,click HERE.
