[net.religion] examples of moral acts

V6M@PSUVM.BITNET (02/08/85)

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Let's say that I am sitting under a shady tree and that I am engaged in thought
.  Any observer would agree that I am truly under the tree.  It would not be
physically obvious that I was in thought but if I were sitting still and were
not asleep then on closer examination, and observer would be justified in
inferring that this was the case.

There is a neutral act here.  The act of me sitting quietly.

Is there a good act? It depends on what I am thinking about.
If I am in prayer then I am doing a good mental act.
I may also engage in a bad mental act by revelling in lustfull thoughts about
a porn star.  This is also called sin.
I may also engage in a neutral mental act by contemplating the beauty of
programming as an art form.

It is probable that I could receive pleasure from all three thoughts.

My life has been enriched by the first,
                 lessened by the second (since it is something that I must
                 atone for)
          and    enriched by the third (because I like to program).

I hope this helps.

Marchionni