Final answer:
The quote 'The what determines the how, although in the long run the how determines the what,' when applied ethically, suggests that while our intentions guide our actions initially, our actions can shape our future values and moral understanding. Ethical behavior over time can form virtues, which influence future ethical decisions, demonstrating the reciprocal influence between our conduct and moral identity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The quote 'The what determines the how, although in the long run the how determines the what' by Heinrich Neuhaus brings forth a profound philosophical reflection which can be applied to ethical situations. It suggests that initially, the nature of our intentions (the what) will dictate our actions (the how). However, over time, the methods we use become part of our character and influence our future intentions, thus the how shapes the what. Ethically, this may imply that while our goals shape our conduct, our conduct eventually shapes our values and moral understanding. This process can be seen in phenomena such as the development of habits, where continuous actions form patterns of behavior that come to determine future actions.
There is validity to this idea in ethical terms when considering ethical behavior and moral philosophy. Frequent ethical actions can cultivate virtues, which then form a basis for future ethical decisions, making one's methods (the how) integral in shaping one's moral identity (the what). Conversely, a more deontological view might argue that our duties or rules (the what) should always inform our actions (the how), leaving less room for the how to shape the what. The dynamic relationship between intention and action reflects ongoing philosophical discussions on the interplay between free will, determinism, and moral responsibility.