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Single Idea 14063

[filed under theme 22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 1. Goodness / i. Moral luck ]

Full Idea

It is better for a good decision not to turn out right in action than for a bad decision to turn out right because of chance.

Gist of Idea

Sooner a good decision going wrong, than a bad one turning out for the good

Source

Epicurus (Letter to Menoeceus [c.291 BCE], 135)

Book Ref

Epicurus: 'The Epicurus Reader', ed/tr. Inwood,B. /Gerson,L. [Hackett 1994], p.31

A Reaction

This sounds right, and on the whole the law agrees. Notice that what we need is a 'good decision', and not just to 'mean well'. The well-meaning fool is wicked. I am opposed to consequentialism, and agree with this idea.

The 16 ideas from 'Letter to Menoeceus'

14052 Begin philosophy when you are young, and keep going when you are old [Epicurus]
14054 Fearing death is absurd, because we are not present when it occurs [Epicurus]
14053 It is absurd to fear the pain of death when you are not even facing it [Epicurus]
14055 The wisdom that produces a good life also produces a good death [Epicurus]
1833 Pleasure is the first good in life [Epicurus]
14056 We only need pleasure when we have the pain of desire [Epicurus]
14057 All pleasures are good, but it is not always right to choose them [Epicurus]
14058 Pleasure is the goal, but as lack of pain and calm mind, not as depraved or greedy pleasure [Epicurus]
1835 True pleasure is not debauchery, but freedom from physical and mental pain [Epicurus]
14060 Prudence is the greatest good, and more valuable than philosophy, because it produces virtue [Epicurus]
1836 Prudence is more valuable than philosophy, because it avoids confusions of the soul [Epicurus]
14059 The best life is not sensuality, but rational choice and healthy opinion [Epicurus]
1837 We should not refer things to irresponsible necessity, but either to fortune or to our own will [Epicurus]
14061 Our own choices are autonomous, and the basis for praise and blame [Epicurus]
14062 Sooner follow mythology, than accept the 'fate' of natural philosophers [Epicurus]
14063 Sooner a good decision going wrong, than a bad one turning out for the good [Epicurus]