Intentionality in ethics

Intentionality in ethics refers to the quality of an action being directed by a person's intentions or motives. It emphasizes that the morality of an act depends not only on its outcomes but also on the person's reasons for acting. For example, helping someone out of genuine compassion is different ethically from doing the same for personal gain. Recognizing intentionality helps distinguish between different behaviors and their moral significance, highlighting that the same action can be judged differently based on what the person intends to achieve or express through that action.