Page:An introduction to ethics.djvu/158

 was quite different. We may express the results of this investigation in the form of equations.

 M = F+E,  &ensp;I = E+A,  C = E+A = I, C$1$ = ? &ensp;(C$1$ = C) or (C$1$≠C).

These equations are true of every action. Take, for instance, the action of General Joffre in commanding a general resumption of the offensive on the Marne on September 6th, 1914. His motive in doing this included the aim of driving back the Germans, and also his own complex feeling of love of his country (M = E+F). His intention included this aim, and also the accompaniment of it, e.g. the deaths of thousands of his own men. He did not act as he did in order that they might be killed. But he foresaw that their deaths were a necessary accompaniment of the end with a view to which he acted (I = E+A). The total consequences of his action, as he purposed them, were identical with his intention (C = E+A = I). And the actual consequences, which, when he gave the order, were unknown to him (C$1$ =?), coincided to a considerable extent with the purposed consequences (C$1$ = C).

§ 3. Is Motive or Consequence the Test of Right and Wrong? If we bear carefully in mind the meanings we have assigned to motive and consequence, it will