Ben Jonson: 'Let them call it mischief: When it is past and prospered t'will be virtue.'

Let them call it mischief: When it is past and prospered t'will be virtue.

The quote by Ben Jonson, "Let them call it mischief: When it is past and prospered t'will be virtue," carries a deep meaning and reveals an intriguing perspective on the evolution of actions and how they are perceived. In its straightforward interpretation, the quote suggests that acts that may at first be labeled as mischief or wrongdoing can be seen as virtue once they have successfully achieved their purpose. It speaks to the idea that outcomes have the power to redefine the moral value of an action. However, to further explore this concept, let us dive into an unexpected philosophical concept that we can use as a lens to bring an additional layer of interest to the article.One philosophical concept that can shed light on Jonson's quote is consequentialism, which evaluates actions based on their outcomes rather than their inherent characteristics or intentions. Consequentialism argues that the morality of an action should be determined by the consequences it produces. This school of thought emphasizes the importance of assessing actions within the specific context and with the knowledge of their consequences.By introducing consequentialism into the discussion, we can compare and contrast its approach with Jonson's quote. While Jonson's quote focuses on the retrospective understanding of an act's virtuousness, consequentialism places emphasis on evaluating an act's moral value before knowing its outcome. Both perspectives, however, share the belief that the consequences play an integral role in determining the morality of an action.Jonson's quote invites us to consider the transformative power of outcomes in shaping our perception of actions. It recognizes that what may initially appear as mischief or wrongdoing can, in hindsight, be understood as virtuous if it leads to positive outcomes. This perspective challenges the conventional notion of morality as something fixed and unchanging, suggesting that it is open to interpretation and influenced by the flux of circumstances.Consequentialism, on the other hand, approaches the morality of actions from a forward-looking standpoint. It encourages individuals to consider the potential consequences of their actions before carrying them out, thus enabling them to make more informed choices. From a consequentialist perspective, an act's virtuousness lies in its capacity to generate positive outcomes, regardless of how it may be perceived at the onset.While Jonson's quote emphasizes the retrospective reconsideration of an act's moral worth based on its consequences, consequentialism emphasizes the proactive evaluation of actions based on their potential consequences. However, both perspectives agree on the significant role that outcomes play in shaping our understanding of an action's virtue.In conclusion, Ben Jonson's quote provides a thought-provoking perspective on the evolution of actions and their moral value. It suggests that what may be seen as mischief or wrongdoing in the present can be regarded as virtue once its positive outcomes become evident. By introducing the concept of consequentialism, we can further explore how the evaluation of actions based on their consequences adds an additional layer to the understanding of their virtuousness. Ultimately, both perspectives underline the significance of outcomes in shaping our perception of an action's moral worth, highlighting the complexity and fluidity of morality itself.