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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Merkuri" data-source="post: 3290603" data-attributes="member: 41321">Regarding the issue where the man chops down a tree and kills a child, I think there's a big disagreement because people generally hold one of two views of the universe.In one view, the universe is a machine.  There is black and white, ones and zeros, and no middle ground.  In this universe, you are held accountable for your actions, regardless of what you meant to do.  If you aim for a wolf attacking a boy and shoot the boy instead, you just performed an evil act.  This one act does NOT make you evil, but if you do it enough you may become evil.In another view, the universe is a caring, sentient being.  There are many shades of gray.  In this universe, you are not punished for doing evil deeds if you didn't have evil intents.    Shooting a boy when you meant to shoot a wolf was just plain bad luck, but not evil.  In fact, it may actually be considered a good act, since you intended to save the boy.The caring universe is a more attractive view, and is probably what most of us believe the universe is really like, considering that's the nature of the universe according to America's (and I believe Europe's) most prominent religions.  In a caring universe truly good people don't go to hell even if their scoreboard may have more ticks in the evil columnHowever, personally I think the machine universe provides a more dramatic backdrop for a D&D game.  I like the idea that a paladin has to atone for his actions if he meant to strike down the wolf but hit the boy.  It adds internal conflict, creates tortured souls craving to be good but unable to do so, and gives characters something to strive against.  In this world it's hard to be good, but those who are truly good stand out like tiny sparks in a mound of dead coals.In the end, whether intent matters depends on what type of universe you want to play in.  For a more dramatic, soul searching game, you want the machine universe.  If you want something fair and more carefree, pick the sentient universe.  Your game's take on alignment will flow from there.</blockquote>

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