Reading Questions #1

1. Do either of the following: (A.) Identify something from the text that you don't understand and
try to explain it: (B.) Identify something from the text that you disagree with and explain why
you disagree with it; (C.) Identify something important from the text that you agree with, and
explain why it is important.
The texts states that a careless man will not be aware of consequences that occur to a
prudent man; if they do present themselves to thought, he will not attach the force to them which
the careful man does. I found this to be important because it emphasizes the importance of each
action we take and the evaluation of those actions. By passing off an action and not
contemplating its consequences, the same action will keep being done with no resolve; the same
consequences will keep occurring.
2. Explain how Dewey understands the relationship between customary and reflective morality.
One way to describe the relationship is to say that there is a positive aspect and a negative aspect.
Identify each.
Customary morality uses customs and traditions to assess the rightness or wrongness of
an act while reflective morality uses conscience, reason, and principles including thought to
guide us. The customs and traditions used for customary morality are those taught to us when we
are young. When we become old enough to have doubt in an act, reflective morality begins. By
taking the knowledge from customary morality, we can contemplate and decide on the right thing
to do in a given situation. If we think we always know what is right and wrong, reflective
morality will not occur. Unlike customary morality, reflective morality cannot provide definite
answers to questions. It is only able to improve consistency in judgment.
3. Explain why, for Dewey, the phenomenon of temptation does not constitute genuine moral
struggle? What, in contrast, does constitute genuine moral struggle?
Temptation is not a genuine moral struggle because it emerges from the assumption that
an action will not have an effect in the succession of actions. Temptation is wanting to take
action in a way we know is wrong. Because the action has already been morally distinguished as
bad, there is no genuine moral struggle when deciding to perform the act. A genuine moral
struggle occurs when a situation requires a decision where the action will not satisfy all
conditions. Multiple actions need to be taken and the individual is able to do each of these
actions, but not all. Because only some of the actions can be done, the individual will have done
something wrong regardless of which actions are chosen.
4. For Dewey, not all actions have direct moral quality. Why is this so? At the same time, any
action can acquire direct moral significance? Why is this so?
There is no single act that must have conscious moral quality. If a man drives to a bank to
rob it, his act of robbing the bank has direct moral quality. However, the act of driving does not.
This act alone is neutral in moral quality. There is no act that may not have definitive moral
significance. Acts are linked up together to form conduct. This is because of their common

relation to a single condition. If a person commits a wrong act, they are not doing so in just one
act but instead in a line of acts. Each act carries an underlying tendency that creates conduct.
Because of this, any action can acquire direct moral significance.
5. Explain how Dewey understands the relation between conduct and character. Specifically, how
does character function to distinguish conduct from a mere succession of acts?
Conduct and character are strictly correlative. The existence of a persistent self
determined the external acts. Character distinguishes conduct from a mere succession of acts
because of habit. Our actions do not just lead to other actions as their effects. They also leave an
impression on the individual who performs those acts. This becomes the individuals habit. It
solidifies our desires and gives acts voluntary quality. This lasting impression from the
succession of acts is what distinguishes conduct.
6. Explain the distinction between motive and intention, but also Dewey's view that they cannot
be sharply separated.
Motive is not a personal feeling but instead the set disposition of an individual. Intention
is the intended consequence of an action. An ambitious man is not motivated by ambition; he is
motivated by the importance of his tasks. Motive and intention cannot be sharply separated
because both have a focus on the end result.