After careful consideration, it's not really the thought that matters most, is it?

Question

So why is this (and countless other) non-truth(s) being told and retold? What are other "harmless non-truths" that are commonly widespread? Are they truly harmless or just being passed off as such?

Answer 1

As far as the legal system, it is arguably still the thought that matters most. If you kill someone and it's demonstrable that you took all reasonable precautions to prevent such a thing, you probably won't even be charged with a crime. On the other hand, if it's demonstrable that you planned to do it, you can be charged with murder even if you didn't harm them at all. The thought matters most!

There have likewise been philosophers who argued that any decent system of ethics will be based entirely on thought and intention rather than actual outcomes. Usually this is a recognition of the fact that nobody can control all of the circumstances around them. No matter how well-made your plan, a stray meteorite can squash it into failure. Does this mean YOU are a failure? Arguably not.

So it would seem that part of the reason that this idea is repeated is that it is substantially true in a lot of cases. It biggest problem seems to be that it is so compressed (oversimplified?) that it's prone to misinterpretation or overapplication. Obviously the thought doesn't matter most in EVERY consideration... if outcome or use IS what you're looking at, then this truism is clearly untrue.

You could always correct and complexify it. But I doubt that would be as popular, even if it was as accurate. Perhaps this says more about the kind of people who typically repeat such sayings rather than the sayings themselves.

Answer 2

Great question. Except in strictly philosophical or specific legal situations the thought actually means very little. In fact, I would argue that often times "the thought" without any action serves to demonstrate an apathy toward a person or situation. IE: If I think of a specific way to help my wife or neighbor and do nothing about it I've basically acknowledged that although I was aware my time - effort - whatever - would benefit another person in some way, I was unwilling to forgo my own desires in order to do something for them. To address the last part of your question, I believe this non-truths is tremendously harmful in that it allows us to excuse or behavior (or lack thereof) under the guise of being "thoughtful."

Answer 3

No, thoughts are not nearly as important as actions. Thoughts in and of themselves, when they are not acted upon have no consequences that impact others lives. Actions do.

There is an old saying that goes "you are what you DO when you are completely alone." The saying mentions nothing about what you think when you are completely alone.

There are all kinds of psychological surveys that measure the discrepancies between what people say they do ( or wish they would do) and what they actually do.

And there are a few nice old proverbs that address that situation too. For example "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."

Answer 4

The thought does make a lot of difference. Like right now I am thinking of the chocolate donut in our office. There is something quite pressing that I must make clear immediately.
I am afraid I am going to have to take that donut. That donut with the chocolate frosting. The one with the soft, fluffy cake and the white-paper wrapper. Yes, the donut that is virtually indistinguishable from the 16 to 20 other donuts around me at this time.
This is the sole donut I have singled out. Granted, it happened to be the first to enter my field of vision as I came in the room.
The donut situated in that location is the donut of my desire. The one at which I am at this moment intently staring. That is the donut that I will shortly be removing from its wrapper and consuming. The sooner you grasp the reality of this, the easier it will be for all of us.
While the donut in question is not, at this time, officially "mine," I wish to make it known, in no uncertain, vague, or ambiguous terms, that under absolutely no circumstances will anyone other than myself be eating that donut.
And, yes, this remains true regardless of anyone else's opinions, plans, or intentions vis-à-vis the donut and the eating of the donut. These are the facts as they stand. I fully intend to make that donut there exclusive to my own ingestion, and I can only hope to convey the extreme level of urgency with which this statement is intended.
I am told there are other donuts available elsewhere, and, yes, it was certainly a nice gesture to have donuts for all to share. I am aware of the myriad arguments against my eating this donut. Yet I fail to see what any of these disputations have to do with me. No one understands better then me the complex yet inevitable future of that donut, with its multi-chocolate sprinkles, as it pertains to my gullet.
Unfortunately, a compromise of any kind is not going to be a possibility at this point. For I am willing to undertake any task, move any mountain, do all within my power in heaven and earth, to lay my teeth into that specific tasty confection.
I am taking that donut.
And there's no conceivable series of events whereby anyone other than me is eating it.
I'm not referring to the white-powder chocolate one, or that one over there with green frosting, or any other donut here or anywhere ever in the history of time. Rather, I am resolute and steadfast in my unblinking fixation on a very specific donut now almost within arm's reach, with a lopsided top and an appealing pile of crumbs surrounding it.
Undoubtedly, my plans do not include walking across the room to the box of donuts from whence this donut originally came. I want the chocolate one. I do not care whether or not there are numerous chocolate ones "exactly like it" in the aforementioned box. I am not interested in irrelevant information about other donuts. No, the truth is, that chocolate donut that I previously indicated is the donut for me.
I do not want to hear about the donut place down the street that delivers. Nor do I wish to recall the donut from last week that was given me despite others obvious eagerness to eat it themself. Those are entirely different, separate donuts that have no bearing on my relationship with the one in question, the one I have selected. Those are abstract donuts that, as of now, exist only in the mind—purely hypothetical donuts that have no constructive place in this scenario.
In no way are any personal dynamics, motivations, or animosities entering this equation. It is simply a matter over which no one has any control. The matter of the donut is not open to negotiation.

Answer 5

Thought does matter if it sends you in the wrong direction and your actions reflect upon it.
Thought matters once more if it sends you in the right direction and your actions reflect upon it.

Answer 6

Wrong! You cannot always foresee the end but trying is still more important than results.