I have heard the phrase, "ends justifying the means" in contexts in which the means are questionable. Is there a clear line where the ends do justify the means in general? — TiredThinker
The functional element is always IF.But that is only if you succeed in getting it in the first place. — TiredThinker
I don't accept "ends justify means" arguments in ethics. Means and ends must be adjusted to one another so that the latter is not undermined or invalidated by the former while the former is calibrated to enact the latter. A version of reflective equilibrium. — 180 Proof
1. Good means, good ends
2. Bad means, good ends
3. Good means, bad ends
4. Bad means, bad ends — Agent Smith
Perhaps... It was an old English advertising slogan for Hienz baked beans... It seemed apropos. — Tom Storm
1. Good means, good ends
2. Bad means, good ends
3. Good means, bad ends
4. Bad means, bad ends — Agent Smith
I don't accept "ends justify means" arguments in ethics. Means and ends must be adjusted to one another so that the latter is not undermined or invalidated by the former while the former is calibrated to enact the latter. A version of reflective equilibrium. — 180 Proof
It doesn't answer my question - are the means also ends in themselves? It seems to me means are often (perhaps even always, but I'm not sure) ends themselves. — PhilosophyRunner
Yes, but that was not my question.
Rather I was arguing that killing Mr X is an end in itself. And the saving 100 people are also ends. they are all ends - even the means are ends. — PhilosophyRunner
Could you elaborate on that? — PhilosophyRunner
What "list"? — 180 Proof
In order of preference
1. Good means, good ends
2. Bad means, good ends
3. Good means, bad ends
4. Bad means, bad ends — Agent Smith
In Mark and John's example, who is better? — PhilosophyRunner
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