Do you consider yourself a good person?

Well that's the thing - I always have a motive. Always. I never make a decision without
a purpose ... and in my eyes that purpose is the very definition of motive.

In two sentences you state that decision making isn't an effort and that it is an effort.

If we accept that what is "good" is based on action - a being in a neutral state is neutral - and "effort" or "trying" is, in essence, action - then we must weigh effort when analyzing "good."

If we accept that "bad," by definition, doesn't "try" to be good, we're left with the mere "effort" to be good as a proof of "goodness."

For example: A clerk gives someone extra change.

"Bad" takes the money and runs. We'll call this the "Claudian Response."

"Good" potentially has two options (potentially more, but...brevity):

1. Immediately give the money back. Or "Automatic Good." Good parenting, strong moral compass, whatever.

2. Weighing "right" versus "pain." If incorrect change is greater than $x and/or the moral value is greater than the pain of giving back then fork it over.

Is the "effort" of option 2 not a sign of goodness? The outcome of the effort is another issue entirely, but I would argue that the mere effort puts the person on the "good" spectrum. That the individual makes a consideration is a sign of good. In fact, there's more intellectual involvement than with an automatic response.

(One could argue that this is a sign of an absence of "bad," which prompts the additional question of, "Is the absence of bad good or just an absence of bad?")

(My argument is based on the concept that any level of "good" is "good." A little "good" - you say thank you when appropriate - and a lotta "good" - you save someone's life - are the same thing for the point of this discussion.)

Even Jesus had a reason for many of his acts of kindness: (To please The Father and to show people how to live.)

That said, I do agree that many times kindness that has no other reason is often the best.

I agree with Ken.

Sometimes doing the "right"/good thing isn't easy. And it does take a certain amount of effort. (That's if people are being honest with themselves.)

You and Riffle are bringing up a good point. You want to do the right thing, and it takes some effort. So, you are at least good in some ways, or you wouldn't try. In fact, the idea that you're putting forth an effort, makes this more admirable, in my opinion.

But some people (less than we would like to imagine, I think) have strong principles, that make these decisions effortless. The principles are strong enough, you don't even consider a different action.

And...just because you are highly principled, doesn't mean you are a good person. Trust me on that.

Added later; (at the risk of sounding like a self centered prick)
I'm a highly principled person. But I'm not really a good person. Sometimes my principles are in my favor, and sometimes not. Sometimes this means I'm seen as kind and generous. Sometimes it means I'm seen as unforgiving and strict. My principles take the place of morals, in my case.

Yesterday, I had a local competitor send a customer my way. She bought a vacuum cleaner, and I made $300 profit. I called the competitor, and told him I was sending him a check for $150. He said, "You don't need to do that". But he was wrong. I do need to do that. To me, it was the right thing to do. He thinks I'm being generous, but he's wrong. I'm not a generous person. I never loan money. And I never give money to beggars. But someone selling something for a few bucks? Sure, even if I don't want it. Why? Because it's a fair trade, that I can justify.

And I needed to share the profit on that sale.

So, Ken.....you're weird, and I'm weird. But I wonder if we are weird in the same way.