The “Impossible reading” discussed a lot about intentions. “The smallest of actions is always better than the noblest of intentions,” (Robin S. Sharma). Intent and action can stand in opposition or in fellowship depending on the way we play out our thoughts. It beckons the question of if we should judge on one’s intent or one’s actions? It has always been impressed upon me that “actions speak louder than words”. When judgement comes into play, it is not our intentions that are decided on but what we do (our actions).
This reminds me off the common plea that was used during the trials of german soldiers who partcipated in the holocaust. They claimed that they were following actions and never had evil intentions. Eichman was a key contributor in what the Nazi’s called the “Final Solution”. The “Final Solution” was a plan to murder all the Jewish, catholics, disabled and other people considered being unworthy in the eyes of Adolf Hitler. They tasked Eichman in the overseeing of deporting the Jews to ghettos and killing centers in the German-occupied East. “Eichmann, testifying from behind a glass booth to protect him from assassination, asserted that he had not dictated policy, but only carried it out—that he was “merely a little cog in the machinery” of destruction” (Holocaust Museum). The little Cog Eichman: a cog that transported, a cog that imprisoned, and a cog that killed. However, Eichman plead not guilty under the common plea of the Nazi that he was following orders. Eichman was hanged for his actions, not the innocent intent that he claimed.
“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” Albus Dumbledore
This is an interesting point because there is often a debate about whether to consider people’s actions or intentions more. This is a strong example to show that actions speak louder, and I think its also a lot easier to lie about our intentions since no one can hold us accountable to them except ourselves.
I also remember learning about Eichmann, and specifically regarding the “banality of evil,” how the most horrid acts can be done by “ordinary” people for “mundane” reasons. I hope we can see this as proof that intentions are deceptive, and that our actions really are what define us.
I like the connection that you made between the readings and history. I think that it is true that sometimes people mean well but they end up doing bad things. Obviously, this isn’t true for Eichman, I don’t think he even meant well, but I think that sometimes poeple have good intentions but arent sure what to do. This kind of ties into the Doing good better conversation that we had.
I think you bring up really interesting points, especially comparing this reading to the “Final Solution”. It really puts into perspective the idea that intentions and actions can be different things within different scenarios.