Intention vs effect

Intention

Intention1 is what we hope to achieve and the meaning we want to convey with what we say or do. This is what we intend to get across with our actions. This is the reason for us taking action in the first place instead of chosing inaction.

Effect

Effect2 is what actually happened when the receiver received the message we tried to convey. It is an interpretation of what was said or done. The interpretation passed through the receivers filters (experiences, mood, expectations etc.) before ending up in a conclusion, feeling or other kind of outcome.

Conundrum

There seem to be an unsolvable problem here. A problem of responsibility. Some argue that the intention is what matters while others argue that the effect is.

Since I have always lived by the creed that my intentions are objectively of higher priority than the effect, I find it hard to see it any other way. Due to certain experiences I am at the point where I have to rectify two opposing thoughts that has affected my life in a negative way.

My argument for stating that intention is of higher importance than effect is that with good intentions it is possible to communicate about any missunderstandings and to eventually clear things up. This also requires me to take the role of being responsible for providing the space to actually communicate about the situation if the effect was incorrect.

The other argument I have heard and been negatively affected by is that regardless of what my intentions were, the effect of what was said or done (i.e. the interpretation), is the only thing that really matters.

This leads to the conundrum of who is in the right and who is responsible for the situation and its outcome. It also puts into question the character of each involved party. Further more it could be argued that if there is no solution to this, is there any meaning of even trying to be good and having good intentions?

The table below presents all possible outcomes of intention vs effect.

IntentionEffect
Good intentionGood reception
Good intentionBad reception
Bad intentionGood reception
Bad intentionBad reception
Intention vs Effect outcome table

To be continued…

  1. Intention refers to a determination to act in a certain way or an aim or plan that guides one’s actions. It is the purpose behind a specific action or behavior, often reflecting one’s goals or desires. Intentions can be conscious or subconscious and play a crucial role in decision-making and goal-setting processes. ↩︎
  2. Effect is a change that is a result or consequence of an action or other cause. It refers to the outcome or impact that something has on a situation, individual, or environment. Effects can be positive or negative, and they can occur immediately or over time. ↩︎