So, in short, yes, the ends do justify the means if the moral gains of the ends are greater than the moral losses by the means . MATTAN GRIFFEL This is the core of the distinction between two main ethical positions: deontology
Do ends justify means?
—used to say that a desired result is so good or important that any method, even a morally bad one, may be used to achieve it They believe that the end justifies the means
Do the ends justify the means of any action?
What Does the End Justifies the Means Mean? The phrase “the end justifies the means” is used to suggest that any activity , whether or not that activity could be considered ethically or morally bad, is worth doing so long as a desired end result is achieved. The origins of the phrase go back to consequentialism.
Do the ends justify the means theory?
A characteristic behavior in today’s society is the belief that the ends justifies the means. This means actions people take are justified regardless of how they go about achieving their desired end result. ... The statement that the ends justifies the means can be traced back to Niccolo Machiavelli
Why do the ends not justify the means?
The ends do not justify the means.” In other words, one cannot commit a series of knowingly fraudulent and illegal acts , even if purportedly done in the name of a noble cause. ... Often, corporations settle these types of cases to avoid reputational damage or costly litigation.
Who said the means justify the ends?
The end justifies the means
What are the problems with consequentialism?
A third problem with consequentialism is dealing with actual and expected consequences . It is problematic to evaluate the morality of decision based on actual consequences as well as probable consequences. If an observer scales the weight of consequences based only on probability, some poor decisions can be made.
What are means and ends of ethics?
A characteristic behavior in today’s society is the belief that the ends justifies the means. This means actions people take are justified regardless of how they go about achieving their desired end result. ... The statement that the ends justifies the means can be traced back to Niccolo Machiavelli
Do ends justify means essay?
Leon Trotsky, a Marxist revolutionary, concluded that “ Means can only be justified by the end . But the end, in turn, needs to be justified.” Marxists believe that if the results made people have more control over nature or destroyed one person’s power over others, then the end result is for the greater good.
What is the meaning of ends and means?
ends. The “end” is the goal, the destination . It’s the answer to the question, “Where is our business headed in the next three years?” The “means” are the resources and preparation you use to get there.
What means the end of an act?
THE END OF AN ACT The end of the act is the natural termination of an activity . The end of eating is nourishment; that of reading is comprehension, that of basketball is scoring a goal, and that of jogging is physical exercise. The end of the doer is the personal purpose intended by the person performing the act.
Do the ends justify the means debate?
The phrase “the end justifies the means” is used to suggest that any activity, whether or not that activity could be considered ethically or morally bad, is worth doing so long as a desired end result is achieved . The origins of the phrase go back to consequentialism.
Does the end justify the means in business?
When it comes to winning in the business world, the ends don’t necessarily justify the means . ... It’s their job, their fiduciary duty to the company, to meet their business goals without breaking the company’s rules or those of the jurisdictions in which they compete.
What does Machiavellian mean today?
Someone Machiavellian is sneaky, cunning, and lacking a moral code . The word comes from the Italian philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli, who wrote the political treatise The Prince in the 1500s, that encourages “the end justifies the means” behavior, especially among politicians.
Is Consequentialism good or bad?
Consequentialism is an attractive ethical approach because it provides clear and practical guidance – at least in situations where outcomes are easy to predict. The theory is also impartial. ... One problem with the theory is that it can be hard to measure different benefits to decide which one is morally preferable.
Is Utilitarianism good or bad?
Utilitarianism promotes “ the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people .” When used in a sociopolitical construct, utilitarian ethics aims for the betterment of society as a whole. Utilitarianism is a reason-based approach to determining right and wrong, but it has limitations.
