How can you determine if an action that you take is a good one? What are the properties that “good” actions share?
If you want to lead a good life, what is the best way to go about doing that? The most direct way is to have most of your deeds be good ones. You are a good person who led a good life if you performed a significant number of good actions.
But what, exactly, does that mean?
If you are evaluating two options, how might you go about choosing the better one? It might be easy if the two options are extremes. Which is better: to volunteer at a soup kitchen, or to kick a puppy?
However, most choices in life are not that clear cut. Some can be downright difficult, and many choices must be made with incomplete information that makes it almost impossible to determine which is better in advance.
And there are other considerations, as well. How might you rate one action that benefits your family more, and another that benefits the community? How do you prioritize the present or the near future versus the far future?
In general, though, actions that fall into the category of “good” may have some common attributes. If you think back to the things in your life that you are most proud of, or choices you think turned out to be good decisions, what do they have in common? Can you find a common thread to your good actions?
Related questions: What does it mean to be a good person? Are people inherently good? When have you made good from a bad situation? How do you determine what matters?
An action is good if it increases joy or goodwill or reduces pain or ill will. More specifically, I try to fulfill several roles in my life (e.g., husband, home economist, housing justice advocate). If my actions advance my goals within these roles, I am making the impact I desire. Lastly, I wish to uphold specific values or virtues (e.g., gratitude, health, integrity, reverence). If my actions align with these values or virtues, I am likely doing something good.
I believe in God. Notice how the word “Good” probably came from the word “God” or vice versa.
I try to know and do God’s will, however I’m able to discern it. Often, I fail, but that’s because I’m human. There’s that bracelet people used to wear, WWJD. What would Jesus Do. I don’t have one but I like to ask the question.
Finally, I try to remember to ask God for help with whatever He/She wants me to do. When I wake up in the morning, I ask God, “what are WE going to do today”?