ESSAY on "the ends always justify the means" ..what does this quote mean?

Question

It has been said that "the ends always justify the means," implying that a positive result in a given situation should be achieved at any cost. Drawing upon your knowledge of historical and contemporary events, your analysis of any literary works you have read, and the experiences of your own life, please support or reject this statement.

I disagree with this quote but how can i write this essay on why i think this?

Answer 1

It means greed is superior to morality.

Answer 2

Janet...

If you disagree with the quote you can write your essay several ways (most of which are outlined in the prompt).

For example, if you cheat to win something, do the ends (winning) justify the means (cheating).

This is a very simple example that should not--depending what you are writing this essay for--be used.

Another example could be the development of America. Do the ends (the continued colonization of the states) justify the means (the deaths of thousands of Native Americans).

Just start thinking along those lines. Apply events that have happened in your life or any historical events that you can reference.

This kind of sounds like it may be a college entry essay prompt, but I am just guessing.

You could also think of it this way: does the what justify the how?

Answer 3

If you disagree with the quote, you have to have some way to back it up. It says draw from contemporary events --- look at what's going on in Iraq right now. The president claims that we are working towards a positive goal. I'm not saying it's right or wrong - that's a matter of opinion. But if I were writing this essay, seeing as I'm opposed to the war in iraq, I would use to argue that the price you pay is not always worth the thing you're buying. (I wouldn't use that argument if I supported the war).

"Fancyname" was right....you've got great historical events to work with...think of any dictator of the past.

Just do a bit of research and back yourself up. =)

Answer 4

You say "implying that a positive result in a given situation should be achieved at any cost." but that's not what it means. It CAN mean that, but it can also mean something very bad, something that can be deterimental for other people. Would the ends STILL justify the means? Just so that one person can have their way, others will have to be unhappy? Basically, it means that ANYTHING is allowed so that you can win (or do what you need to do to win).

Answer 5

I agree with you because for the end to always justify the means, means that it doesn't matter who gets hurt in the process. There are other ways of getting a desired result. By using the excuse that the end justifies the means is a lazy, selfish, or inconsiderate way of getting a result.

Answer 6

Here is an interesting essay on this very question:
http://radicalacademy.com/adlerendsmeans.htm

If the end is a beautiful home for your family, but you got it by cheating, stealing, and killing, then the end does not justify the means, if you are looking at it in terms of morality.

Answer 7

Hiroshima and Nagasaki

No topic in U.S. foreign policy generates as much historical controversy as the continuing debate over the use of atomic bombs to end the Second World War. Aside from the obvious point that two cities were largely destroyed, instantly killing over a hundred thousand Japanese (95% of them civilians), why does the use of atomic bombs against Japan still provoke controversy? After all, the fire-bombing of Tokyo in March of 1945 killed nearly 100,000 Japanese in just two days, and B-29s dropped hundreds of tons of firebombs on other major Japanese cities. One important distinction is that a single bomb (a uranium device nicknamed "Little Boy") was dropped on Hiroshima, followed by a second one (a plutonium bomb nicknamed "Fat Man") dropped three days later on Nagasaki. Beyond the unprecedented explosive power (12.5 kilotons for the first bomb and 22 kilotons for the second one), the delayed effects of radiation were another important distinction. Whereas the fire-bombing of Tokyo produced a death rate of about 100,000 fatalities among one million casualties (10%), the two atomic bombs produced a death rate of over 50% with the inclusion of deaths due to radiation. By 1950 nearly 350,000 Japanese had died from the effects of Little Boy and Fat Man.

(For the complete discussion, go to the following website: )

Answer 8

You may find the following interesting to read:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_ends_justify_the_means

There is much necessary unpleasantness in life like: scrubbing a floor to get it clean. Or attending school in order to become a better person. Turning your cheek in order to achieve a kind of peace. Opening a door for someone to make them feel good. ...and so on.

Answer 9

State it correctly, and do a web search. You'll find many references from which you can build your essay.

Correct: "the end always justifies the means"

Answer 10

or you could say "the end will justify the pain it took to get us there" so if the pain isnt worth it then dont go there but if its something you truly believe in then put your heart and soul into it but dont try to do it make someone else happy just be honest and true with yourself

Answer 11

Think Hitler, He lived that statement. THink the inquisition, the Catholic church believed that would promote catholicism. Think of cloning taken to its extreme.