Poll: The Ends Justifes The Means

[Agent Larkin]

After reading the "You Cant Be The Hero If Your A Rapist" topic I noticed an under lying arguement that i thought I would bring to Daylight. Does the ends justify the means? What is your views on this do you support it? or are you against it?

Some examples:
If a man steals food to feed his starving family?
If you kill a murderer.
etc
(Would appreciate any extra examples given as this is all i have.)

 

[Cpt. Red]

No, with a few exceptions...

 

[EMFCRACKSHOT]

someimes you have to play a little dirty to win and thats okay, but that doesnt mean the end justifies the means all the time. Unless you are a member of the most holy inquisition of the god emporer of mankind

 

[sky14kemea]

yes, with a few exceptions

y'know, like that ever 'loved' rape

 

[Skeleon]

Generelly no, with a few exceptions.

Killing a murderer to get revenge or "serve justice" is not one of those. Those two are the government's job.
Killing a murderer in direct self-defense (or in assistance to a would-be victim) is.

If everybody could go around dealing their own personal brand of justice, we'd descend into anarchy within two days.

 

[NeedAUserName]

Depends on the circumstance.

 

[Bibliomancer]

It depends on both the end and the means.

"I left for lunch a bit early to get the last cupcake" Could be an example of the end justifying the means.

"I killed 5 people to get the last cupcake" Is not.

 

[Nmil-ek]

If it's essential to your continued well being and survival then its justifialbe, kill or be killed, steal or starve etc. If its about revenge, its only justifiable on a personal level society would not agree, rape is never justifiable its a one sided crime entriley.

 

[sallene]

It is a very slippery slope justification and can be used to do horrendous things.

That said while the small glimmer of morality in me says no, the end does not justify the means,

The large cynic and pragmatist in me thinks that as humans are inherently selfish and self-serving creatures the ends always justifies the means from an individuals perspective.

 

[Hamster at Dawn]

It depends purely on what the ends and means are.
If Ends>Means Then it is justified.
For example, killing a man to save the lives of thousands of others is justified. Blowing up 80% of the world's land mass to cure your grandmother's sore throat is not.

 

[tehweave]

As there are exceptions to every rule, this one might have some.

But in most cases, the ends do NOT justify the means. If good things come from bad procedures, you should not be praised, but punished for doing wrong in the first place. Yes, something good came out of it, which should lighten the punishment SLIGHTLY, but taking the wrong procedure in the first place can lead to problems in the future.

If everyone then tries that same wrong procedure in the future, most likely the outcome will be worse and then we're all fucked.

 

[Anachronism]

Evil means can be used to achieve a good end. If the death of one would save the life of hundreds, what would you do? I realise that you could very easily use this argument to justify evil actions, but if good person used evil methods to achieve a good goal, I would argue that the end result would be good, and as such it would have been worth it.

If Ends>Means Then it is justified.
For example, killing a man to save the lives of thousands of others is justified. Blowing up 80% of the world's land mass to cure your grandmother's sore throat is not.

Pretty much this. Provided the end is worthwhile, it can justify the means.

 

[Ben Legend]

It depends on the situation.

It is morally right to kill one person if it would save the lives of a million people.
(I know this is extreme and inlikely to happen)

Personally i would say yes, as the end justifies the means, in terms of the end is greater than the means to achieve it.

But on the other hand, what if the lives of a million people are lost, at the cost of bringing one person to justice?
Again...unlikely to happen)

Personally, I would say no, even though I think justice needs to be served, i think the end would not justify the needs.

 

[Agent Larkin]

Watch Death Note. It shows that the power to say "The Ends Justifies the Means" corrupts so that one will begin to enjoy their power and use it even when there is no justification.

I dont really think you can say Light started to enjoy his power. Abuse it yes but enjoy it?

 

[Rajin Cajun]

If you kill a murderer.

Yes. Anything up to and including murder is justified depending on the situation.

Rape, as always, is a no-no.
Rape is bad, kids.
Don't do it.

Damn it Max and I just about to go out and commit some rape. Guess I will have to find someone to kill instead.