Published by the Center for the Study of The Great Ideas (founded in 1990 by Mortimer J. Adler and Max Weismann)
In association with the The Adler-Aquinas Institute and Aquinas School of Leadership
A Founding Member of the Alliance for Liberal Learning

Monday, August 2, 2010

Does the end ever justify the means?

Posted by at
Labels:

5 comments:

  1. Scott StraderAugust 5, 2010 at 12:13 PM

    Shouldn't the ends justify the means - that is, as a rule or for the most part? All moral action is for the sake of some end, and the means are the choices and actions employed to attain this end. Since the ultimate end is the happiness of the individual or the group, then the end should justify the means insofar as the means chosen to attain this end are chosen with reference to the true good for man.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Max WeismannAugust 7, 2010 at 1:28 PM

    Scott,

    If you ask people, if they think the end justifies the means, what do you think they would answer? (try it).

    You say, "All moral action is for the sake of some end . . .", do you see much moral action in the world around you?

    Max

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kasaun E. HenryAugust 10, 2010 at 10:01 AM

    I don't think the end justify the means. Any end, as it is properly understood on the grounds of its objective and moral caliber, dictates and/or restricts the means.

    In sports like basketball and hockey, for example, where the objective is to earn the most points before the allotted time runs out, players are penalized when their means of scoring are outside the established rules and guidelines.

    In other words, one cannot win in these types of sports in any way he or she chooses, no matter how effective the option is.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Max WeismannAugust 13, 2010 at 11:03 AM

    POST by Jay Gold:

    Whenever means are justified, they're justified in relation to a certain end. When I drive down Midvale Blvd. this morning, it will be because that's the most direct way for me to get to work. The means (driving down Midvale Blvd.) would not be justified were it not for the end (getting to work).

    That being said, there are means that would lead to a certain end but would not be justified because the means are objectionable in and of themselves. Say my child needs an operation and I don't have the money. Obtaining the money for the operation is a good end, but it would not justify my kidnapping your child and torturing her until you gave me the money.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Scott StraderAugust 14, 2010 at 11:32 AM

    >If you ask people, if they think the end justifies the means, what do you think they would answer? (try it).

    I suppose many would assume the ends do not justify the means because this observation is usually applied to situations which involve failure to recognize the "inalienable" rights of citizens or the dignity of persons. Examples include the detention of Japanese-Americans during WWII for the sake of national security; or the use - or threat of use - of torture, again means sometimes justified for the end of national security.

    >You say, "All moral action is for the sake of some end . . .", do you see much moral action in the world around you?

    Yes. Such action is not often virtuous, but it is certainly moral.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)