According to Hume, there is not much of a relationship between roads, hell, and good intentions. In section one of Justice, whether a natural or artificial virtue, Hume characterizes intentions (referred to as “sentiments”) as the “real” indicia of morality, whereas actions are mere proxy. Correspondingly, good intentions, independent of an action’s outcome, are necessary conditions for the action itself being considered virtuous.
This exaltation of intention runs strongly against my own beliefs and experience. Put simply, selfishness regularly results in a net moral good, and on the flip side, overly focusing on keeping one’s motives kosher, can result in great evil. Overall, neither intention nor action is the determinative factor. Instead, context is king. As Friar Lawrence remarks in Romeo and Juliet Act II, Scene iii, “Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied, And vice sometime by action dignified.”
Put simply, there is nothing that does not turn bad if it is put to the wrong use. Similarly, properly deployed vice can be a good thing. The former point is often found in putatively benevolent political systems such as communism or fascism. Both perpetuate a system that harms the very folks they seek to help. However, the latter point, namely, “good vice,” is comparatively more subtle. Thankfully, a 2015 Shouts and Murmurs piece by Mike O’Brien nicely captures the idea. Specifically, in “How to Live an Alternative-Comedy Life Style” the author satirically suggests that living a funnier lifestyle on your own, where selfish merriment ought to reign supreme, might be best achieved by getting a normal job, marrying the “least cool secretary,” having kids with her, and dutifully attending to your newfound family in a loving manner. Then, the author recommends that in order “to heighten the joke” you should tell the people gathered at your bedside that you meant every word you have ever said to them, and that you love them. Furthermore, if you want it to be really hilarious, mean it, then chuckle to yourself and die.
While the suggestions are allegedly about being cleverly dishonest in a selfish manner, following O’Brien’s exhortations can hardly be described as immoral. Put another way, bad intent should not discredit one’s good actions. As such, I feel it is imperative not to get too bogged down on what fraction of morality that intent actually makes up. Instead, selfishly do some good!