What is it about things that people do that make them good? This question can be approached by trying to present what is considered good and comparing it to what is considered harmful. This suggests that all good things have opposites, meaning there is value in looking for the opposite virtue and comparing.

“Doing good” is a short way of saying doing good deeds and doing things that are good for others, and performing actions that benefit people other than oneself.

“Doing well” might mean “good enough” rather than good? Even so, doing well would mean achieving a healthy equilibrium for oneself, reaching personal goals, and attaining a good measure of worldly happiness.

If a person intends to do good, but the outcome is terrible, is intent the measure, or is it the result? The answer is that intent is not the measure of goodness- good is.

The opposite question would be if a person intended to harm and good came from the effort, then was that person doing good or bad. The intent might be the object of the person’s actions rather than the results, but still, the effects outweigh the goal.

In his book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis said there is “A Universal Moral Law.” Finding the applicable law would certainly help with this type of question.