Thoughts On ...

...Good Intentions

If you look at my reading list (my ever growing, never clearing reading list), you will notice there a book by Derrick Bell called Ethical Ambition. I got the tip for this book off one of the XP mailing lists (I think the main one), and while it took me a while to get started on it, it has been a tremendous read.

This particular passage struck a really painful, and yet familiar chord with me:

I cannot emphasize enough what I see as the potentially dangerous and destructive consequences of words and actions intended to do good. Medicine has long had the term "iatrogenic" to describe conditions accidentally caused by the doctor, whether through treatment, diagnosis, or even manner. We might say that, as with the healing arts, so with the practice of those of us who seek to heal the bodies politic, social, and economic. It is the most frequently ignored pitfall of those motivated by good intentions, particularly those involved in social change and progressive politics. Without a willingness to continually critique our own policies, question our own motivations, and admit our own mistakes, it is virtually impossible to maintain programs and practices that are truly ethically related to the real needs of those we wish to serve. As I learned from sad experience, it is all too easy to become so committed to ideals and goals that we fail to notice when our clients' interests and goals no longer coincide with ours.

Sobering words for someone who works as a consultant, and advocates the adoption of Agile practices.

As someone who has alienated good friends by trying too hard "to help", who has "stood up" for those who were unwilling to speak out against what I -- and not necessarily they -- saw as an injustice by another, I see this passage as an important reminder to "first do no harm." Success, is not found through increasing suffering -- no matter what the wonders of the success would be if the overall plan comes to fruition.

That said, it is very very hard to know what the right thing is, when confronted with the difficulties of others. To do nothing is often the wrong choice as well. What has made Derrick Bell's book so rewarding is to see that this choice is never easy, there is no cure for that difficulty, and in the end we must always go with our heart -- and yet always make sure to question what the heart tells us.

Possibly the most important insight I have gotten from this passage however, is how I look at those whose actions I consider damaging, or immoral. Many efforts -- both on the (inter)national level, and within the realm of software development -- strike me as the worst kind of authoritarianism, but I believe that many -- if not most -- of those who advocate these kinds of actions, really believe that the efforts are in the best interest, not only of those like them, but also the targets of their authority.

Possibly the best way then (somewhat ironically) to view such actions on the part of others -- actions done for "the people's own good" is in fact to applaud the intent, and condemn the act. For while these people do not intend to cause suffering, the road to hell is paved with...