...Does the End Justify the Means? Should the doctrine of “the end justifies the means” be accepted? The "the end justifies the means" doctrine is acceptable, but only under certain situations. To understand why this position is being taken, you have to understand the origin of "the end justifies the means." The phrase came from Niccolo Machiavelli's book The Prince. Machiavelli's phrase is interpreted by many to mean that the end result of an action was justified by the actions one took to get there, regardless of the methods used (End justifies the means, n.d.). The phrase suggests that it does not matter whether these methods are legal or illegal, moral or immoral, kind or cruel, or truth or lie. The phrase has to be put into context in order to understand how it can be applied in our modern times. The Prince’s original intended audience was rulers (i.e., government), and was meant to advise and instruct them (Nederman, 2009). The Prince was never meant for the common people. Since "the end justifies the means" was originally meant for the government, then its doctrine can only be acceptable when it is used by the government under certain situations, such as to establish peace during a time of war. Should “the end justifies the means” be unconditional? Can it be situational? Over the years, people have abused "the end justifies the means." The phrase has been used to excuse any wrongs made to attain a goal. For example, a banker will reason that it is all right to steal...
Words: 1264 - Pages: 6
...Do the Ends Ever Justify the Means? When I first heard about the book "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks", I thought it was just a reading assignment when I was in high school that I had to complete for a grade. As I began reading I became particularly interested in Henrietta Lacks and the HeLa cells. In "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks", Rebecca Skloot talks about Henrietta Lacks and how her cells were taken without her permission, and how her family suffered afterwards. Skloot shows how medicine and science were seen back in the 1950's compared to now. Henrietta Lacks was a “mother of five who died of cervical cancer at only thirty-one years of age” (Gabbay). When she passed away the doctors at John Hopkins asked her husband, David Lacks, if they could do a biopsy on her. At first he said no, but he finally told them they could go ahead. The doctors never told him or his family that they were going to take her cells and keep them. Nor did they tell the family that Henrietta's cells were growing at an incredible rate and were being shipped and bought across the world. “The existence of a constantly reproducing, or immortal, line of cells would permit an abundance of research that had never before been possible” this is what caused the cells to be coveted by doctors and scientist all over the world (Gabbay). “I have always thought it was strange, if our mother cells done so much for medicine, how come her family can’t afford to see no doctors? Don’t make no sense”...
Words: 1295 - Pages: 6
...Introduction Can a rotten egg make a good Omelet? The end/means dilemma is an old and popular scenario. The answer to this question depends on what the type of goals or ends are and what means are being used to achieve them. Moreover, Gandhi, pioneer and a theorist of satyagraha said, “I feel that our progress towards the goal will be in exact proportion to the purity of our means”. Indeed, according to the Gandhian philosophy, the means and ends are like the two sides of the same coin. They are inseparable from each other. That is why, for example, Gandhi struggled whole life against British and never adopted the wrong means. I. Do ends ethically justify their means? Most people use the expression "the ends justify the means" as an excuse...
Words: 1365 - Pages: 6
...principles of the two normative ethical theories of deontology and utilitarianism. Compare and contrast the two theories, bringing out any problems or limitations you see in each. Bioethics Essay • Intro: Define ethics and define and introduce the two theories. (philosophical theories…) • Utilitarianism- example • Deontology- example- compare • comparing- evaluating and critically analyzing*- similarities and differences. • Limitations and positives* • Conclusion- summary of essay and own opinion, remember to justify your own views with reasons – don’t just state your opinions without arguing for them in terms of moral values. http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-deontological/#DeoTheKan http://www.slideshare.net/kljonz/individual-ethics-essay-1 There are two major ethics theories that attempt to specify and justify moral rules and principles; these are utilitarianism and deontological ethics. Utilitarianism (also known as consequentialism) is a moral theory developed and refined in the modern world in the writings of Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) and John Stuart Mill (1806-1873).(1) Deontology is a ??? theory developed from the eighteenth century philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724-1804). The theory utilitarianism is the morality of an act that is judged by it’s utility. The greatest utility that is has for the most people; the greatest usefulness an act has for...
Words: 1646 - Pages: 7
...In moral theology, an act is the knowing choice of a human person. Each knowing choice is an act, and each act is subject to the eternal moral law. Some acts are moral, and other acts are immoral. An immoral act is a sinful act. Sin is a knowingly chosen immoral act. The morality of any act is based on three fonts (or sources): (1) The intention or purpose for which the act is done, (2) the inherent moral meaning of the act as determined by its moral object, (3) the circumstances of the act, especially the consequences. To be moral, each and every act must have three good fonts of morality. The intention must be good, the moral object must be good, and the good consequences must outweigh any bad consequences. If any one font is bad, the act is immoral. If an act is immoral due to a bad intention, the same type of act may be moral with a good intention. If an act is immoral due to the circumstances, the same type of act may be moral in different circumstances. But when an act has an evil moral object, the act is inherently immoral, in other words, the act is evil, in and of itself, apart from intention and circumstances. Every intrinsically evil act has an inherent moral meaning (the moral species) which is contrary to the moral law of God. Intrinsically evil acts are never justified by intention or circumstances because the moral species (the type of act in terms of morality) is inherently unjust. Pope John Paul II: "But the negative moral precepts, those prohibiting...
Words: 2755 - Pages: 12
...had his own set of ethical and morality theories that many people still follow today. Which brings us to this case and point, is it ever morally permissible to do a morally wrong action in order for the greater good? I will be discussing Kant’s and my moral views on this particular issue. Immanuel Kant was known for his critique of judgment. Kant said that “human beings have “an intrinsic worth” or dignity” that make the valuable “above all price” Rachel’s (page136). Kant believed that “all of our duties can be derived from one ultimate principle, which he called the Categorical Imperative” Rachel’s (Page137). Categorical Imperative is a moral theory that “ones behavior should accord with universalizable maxims which respect persons as end in themselves; the obligation to do ones duty for its own sake” Collins (Page252) .Is the doctrine that each person ought to pursue his or her own self-interest exclusively” this theory express the condition of the rationality of conduct rather than that of its...
Words: 1029 - Pages: 5
...Introduction What does it mean for one to have an end goal in mind with a strong desire to achieve that goal? Does the end justify the means in every case, every time? These rhetorical questions are asked up front in this paper to elicit an effect on the audience. While there are two worthwhile viewpoints on the subject, the outcome of this specific paper goes down the path of no, the ends to not justify the means—and is simply based on good versus evil, and the end must always be morally justified. When one determines whether the measures taken to meet the end goal are justified, they must start by gaining a solid understanding of the argument. Listening to the facts and answering ‘Why,’ Who’, ‘What,’ and ‘How’ will undeniably make an impact...
Words: 940 - Pages: 4
...Teleology is a reason or explanation for something in function of its end, purpose, or goal. For example, a teleological explanation is where is does not focus on the action but it only focuses on the outcome or consequences. Ethical decision making helps people make difficult choices when faced with an ethical dilemma, a situation in which there is no clear right or wrong answer, Refers to the process of evaluating and choosing among alternatives in a manner consistent with ethical principles. In making ethical decisions, it is necessary to perceive and eliminate unethical options and select the best ethical. If an ethical approach if deontological, it means the morality of an action is intrinsic, which means that the act is completely wrong or completely right. Also the right or wrong of the act cannot change, it stays the same. For example - murder is wrong because it is wrong, it will always be wrong. Therefore this is a Deontological approach towards murder. On the other hand, if an ethical approach is Teleological, it means that it only focuses on the outcome that is caused by the action, also it is the result of an action that decides whether an action in itself is right or wrong, for instance - abortion may not be wrong as it could result in the mother having a baby that has a proper education and a good life in the future. Deontological ethics tend to be more absolute than teleological ethics, this means that the act is morally wrong, deontological believers would say that...
Words: 609 - Pages: 3
...a society. Utilitarianism is thus often considered a 'consequentialist' philosophical outlook because it both believes that outcomes can be predicted and because it judges actions based on their outcomes. Thus, utilitarianism is often associated with the phrase 'the ends justify the means.' Deontology: Deontology is an alternative ethical system that is usually attributed to the philosophical tradition of Immanuel Kant. Whereas utilitarianism focuses on the outcomes, or ends, of actions, deontology demands that the actions, or means, themselves must be ethical. Deontologists argue that there are transcendent ethical norms and truths that are universally applicable to all people. Deontology holds that some actions are immoral regardless of their outcomes; these actions are wrong in and of themselves. Kant gives a 'categorical imperative' to act morally at all times. The categorical imperative, in its most widely used formulation, demands that humans act as though their actions would be universalized into a general rule of nature. Kant believes that all people come to moral conclusions about right and wrong based on rational thought. Deontology is roughly associated with the maxim 'the means must justify the ends.' The conflict illustrated: A classic example illustrates the conflict between these two ethical systems. Suppose an evil villain holds you and ten other people at gunpoint and tells you that she will kill all ten of your fellow prisoners unless you kill one...
Words: 666 - Pages: 3
...over harm. The ethical corporate action is the one that produces the greatest good and does the least harm for all who are affected that is the customers, employees, shareholders, the community, and the environment. Ethical warfare balances the good achieved in ending terrorism with the harm done to all parties through death, injuries, and destruction. The utilitarian approach deals with consequences, it tries both to increase the good done and to reduce the harm done. Strengths Secular. Utilitarianism does not rely on specific beliefs about God. In the modern, multicultural society with a range of religious beliefs and a growing number of atheists, a secular approach is most useful. The utilitarianism approach is universal, which means it is acceptable to all the different types of cultures that are available globally. In every religion the utilitarianism approach is useful as it only considers the practises that do not harm the society but those that are acceptable to the society. The belief about what is right or wrong is the one that the society approves, not considering what other societies believe in. Happiness. It is absolutely right that happiness is given intrinsic value. There cannot be any situation where we can say happiness is wrong or bad. It is usually important to give high value to happiness as it...
Words: 1568 - Pages: 7
...Situation ethics is an ethical theory devised by philosopher Joseph Fletcher. In situation ethics moral principles can be overlooked if love is better served. It is teological, which is consequential but rather than the greatest good it is looking for the greatest love. Joseph Fletcher outlined his theory of situation ethics in ten principles which he separated into the four working presumptions and the six fundamental principles otherwise known as propositions. In this essay I will be examining four of Joseph Fletchers six fundamental principles. The first fundamental principle is ‘only one thing is intrinsically good; namely love: nothing else at all’. Only love is good in itself. Actions are not intrinsically good or evil as they are good or evil depending upon whether they promote the most loving result. Love is intrinsically valuable it has inherit worth. Nothing else has intrinsic value but it gains or acquires its value because it happens to help people making it good or hurt people making it bad. Actions are not intrinsically good or evil depending upon whether they produce the most loving result. They are extrinsically good depending on their circumstances and consequences. Joseph Fletcher said that actions are extrinsically good depending upon the circumstances. According to Joseph Fletchers first principle actions such as lying can be justified if the action itself is extrinsically good. Natural law states that actions such as lying are always wrong regardless...
Words: 682 - Pages: 3
...Ethics, so that’s what I have chosen to do for drunk driving as my last journal entry. Immanuel Kant believed acts were justified when they came from moral obligations. As humans we must treat everyone with respect, never treat anyone as a means to an end, and treat each person as an autonomous person. If someone chooses to drunk drive, it does not matter how old they are, they are not treating themselves or the other drives or pedestrians with respect. And if they lie to the passengers and say that they are sober, it is even worse. Therefore, under Kantianism, it cannot be considered to be a universal law. Consequentialism holds that the consequences of one's actions are the ultimate basis for any judgment about the rightness or wrongness of that action, in other words, “the ends justify the means.” The best possibility of an end when a person chooses to drunken drive is that they arrive at their destination. There are other means of transportation that could have allowed them to get their safety, and in the mean time they are risking their lives and the lives of almost everyone around them when they are in the driver’s seat. In effect, the ends do not justify the means because the ends are just arriving at a different location and the means is the potential death of a human being. Utilitarianism is an ethical tradition that directed us to decide based on overall consequences of our acts. The...
Words: 453 - Pages: 2
...Corporate Machiavellianism. It is an interesting story as to how the Machiavellian analogy to “deceiving, self-centered, ends justify the means” came in to general use. Or as the Oxford English Dictionary defines, “the employment of cunning and duplicity in statecraft or in general conduct". Niccolò Machiavelli was an Italian historian, diplomat, philosopher, politician and a humanist writer based in Florence during Renaissance. He was Secretary to the Second Chancery of the Republic of Florence from 1498 to 1512, during which the Medici were out of power. Before which he was responsible for the diplomatic and military affairs in the Florentine Republic. He penned the greatest work of his life; “The Price” after the Medici had regained power and, held no obligatory responsibilities towards the Florentine Republic. In this seminal work he elaborated an ideology, which has been often interpreted as, “Ends justify the means”. Machiavelli prosed to the prince- the ruler of the state, that the prince has to always focus on achieving the objectives towards the welfare of the state (has to be result driven, for the output any action can be justified), even to the extent of suspending the rights, liberties of its populace. In the current context, this seems to be the hidden agenda of some of major corporations. Like the example of a major American burger franchisee which did not hesitate to include a highly carcinogenic ingredient in their products. Or like a few corporations...
Words: 560 - Pages: 3
...and Differences in Virtue Theory, Utilitarianism, and Deontological Ethics This document will discuss the similarities and differences between virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics. A persons ethical and social responsibility is very important to their personal and business success. Unfortunately, it is difficult to identify and classify what is ethical and moral. I will also provide a personal example of one of the ethical behavior. The first question you must ask yourself is what are the meaning of Virtue Theory, utilitarianism, and Deontological. According to the Webster Dictionary; Virtue- normally good behavior or character, a good moral quality, or the good result that comes from somerthing. Now what does that mean in laymens term, After reviewing the technical and professional expernatiation When talking about ethics it is hard to distinguish between ethics and morality. It is also hard to distinguish exactly what realm of ethics contributes to my everyday decisions. Ethics can be defined as “well-founded standards of right and wrong that prescribe what humans ought to do, usually in terms of rights, obligations, benefits to society, fairness, or specific virtues [and] ethics refers to the study and development of one's ethical standards” (Andre, Shanks, & Velasquez, 2010, para. 8-9). According to Psychology Today (2013) morality is, “ethics, evil, greed, sin, and conscience” (para. 1). “Morals can vary from person to person and culture to...
Words: 1138 - Pages: 5
...the best choice can fall into a grey area. The following paragraphs will explore five common excuses people give for making unethical decisions and what a person can do to overcome the excuses so as not to breach their personal value system. Individual life experiences, culture, family, and friendships all help a person to form their personal values and standards. Practical reasoning can be used to determine what is right and what is wrong weather in an individuals personal life or in a business setting. The first excuse for making a decision that is deemed unethical is the ignorance is bliss excuse. Most people are raised to believe that it is wrong to tell a lie. Without having the foundation for good decision making it is easier to justify telling a lie. One may have the knowledge that it is wrong but may also believe that it is okay if the circumstance is appropriate. They use the excuse that they were not taught early on that it is inappropriate to lie no matter the circumstance. A second excuse that many use it that it really is not that big of a deal. According to Vora (2012), People can have the attitude of “the world has changed it’s values so I must change mine too.” Vora also states that most people do not want to be labeled as boring or traditional and so they go with the flow of what everyone else is doing. In doing the right thing and not falling short by giving in Vora (2012) states “Society will hold you in respect for your commitment to social good and ethical...
Words: 1008 - Pages: 5
