Does the Ends always justify the Means? / myLot

Philippines

November 1, 2010 2:06am CST

I had the chance to talk to a friend some years ago, he was caught by the police try to smuggle in firearms to the local rebels.. when I asked him why he did it? He told me that he knew it was illegal but that is the only form of livelihood that he knows, implying that he's ends justified his means.. I'm not quite sure about his arguments.. what do you think? Does the Ends always justify the Means?

1 person likes this

3 responses

marguicha

@marguicha (223720)

• Chile

2 Nov 10

I imagine everyone can only speak for himself. In my morals, there´s no end at all that can justify any means. Whenever I do anything (means), even if I have an important end in front of me, there is always a limit. That limit deals with my ethics. But my ethics are not necessarily the same as the rest of the world´s.

values

tigeraunt

@tigeraunt (6326)

• Philippines

1 Nov 10

hi incus, this quote is usually misrepresented as any action, no matter how unethical or immoral, can be justified for the purpose of any reasonable or needed outcome. this could not ethically be used by individuals for personal greed or self improvement. ann

louie847

@louie847 (350)

• Philippines

1 Nov 10

I think it does not justify anything even though you are doing it in order to survive from poverty. there are other ways of making a living and in a legal way. maybe in the eyes of other people that benefited from the ways, but no matter what are the reasons it is just not right.