The Pursuit of the Good

Abstract

We pass now from the discussion of dispositions toward the good to action and conduct involving the good. The first thing to note is the point which so much occupied Dewey; that every moral situation has an individual aspect and is to some extent unique. But what is the individual moral situation? We must be as much concerned with what makes it moral as with what makes it unique. The unique aspect is the individual aspect but the moral aspect is the general aspect. We shall find if my theory is correct that the analysis of any concrete moral situation discloses ramifications which are abstract and so must be considered apart from the concrete. There is more to a good or bad act than what appears to be local and particular; otherwise we could not consider it in a moral connection or characterize it as good or bad. All particulars are exemplifications of something general; there are no absolutely unique particulars. Action is intentional motion. A clear distinction must be drawn between the intention to act and the act itself; although of course a clear similarity connects them. The transition from intent to act is effected through decisions. We are in action concerned with overt behavior and in conduct with responsible behavior.