Replying to Avatar The Beave

Only if the means are kept within the bonds of acceptable morality. For some, that means, lying, cheating, stealing, addicting to drugs, sexually trafficking children, blackmailing, murdering, etc., are totally OK, whereas I do not think any of that is OK.
Avatar
splinter 2y ago

I think in absolute terms that means you don't believe the end justifies the means.

Reply to this note

Please Login to reply.

Discussion

Avatar
The Beave 2y ago

If your ends are good, and you achieve them by good means, then, that is the only case where this is a good thing.

Avatar
splinter 2y ago

The phrase specifically implies that the means are not good, but they're a necessary evil to reach the ends.

If you can't accept bad means, that means you don't agree that the ends justify the means.

Avatar
The Beave 2y ago

That's correct. There is only one of the possible 4 cases that is acceptable: good end goal using good means.