Is it legitimate... why or why not?
2007-05-21 09:17:09 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Quotations
This phrase is from Shakespeare's Hamlet. Basically it means that as long as you are trying to achieve something good (the end) it doesn't matter what you do to get there. (the means)
So, people often use this idea as a justification for doing something wrong with good intentions. Typically in the more innocent forms this might be telling a "little lie" to avoid hurting someone's feelings.
Or to make it a little more serious- someone who works for a charitable organization might feel its ok to write a bad check to cover a short-term need that the organization might have, knowing that they can just "fix it later."
However, the same justification can be used in a more extreme case- like torture or other violations of human rights, and this can never be considered acceptable or ok- no matter what the "end" is.
2007-05-21 09:34:05 · answer #1 · answered by johntindale 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on the means. At any time when lesser than rightful means are used, the final good result is tainted by the means. The dirtier the means get, the more compromised the means become. It essentially becomes a trade off. Is there really no other means to accomplish the goal? If the results are achieved through the equally destructive means, are the results themselves still what you are looking for in long run?
The quote simply begs more question and not the answer to any actions.
XR
2007-05-21 21:43:10 · answer #2 · answered by XReader 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Legitimate, or Right? It is still in practise today- and I don't think there is any one person who HASN"T tried this one out. But that doesn't make it right. Government's are lambasted for their constant "means adjustment" as a way to get to their ends- wars, invasions, budget...ELECTIONS! But we forget that even the simple things..."i have a sore tummy.."- That's ok dear, you don't need to finish your dinner"..... are really often a well-placed lie, uttered to gain a personal advantage. Even children have this one MASTERED.
2007-05-21 11:17:44 · answer #3 · answered by chikensnsausages 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no. actually i believe the first person to say this was Machiavelli. i forget when he lived. but he claims its ok to do morally incorrect things if the end justifies the mean. but no. if ur morally correct, then NO
2007-05-21 15:12:21 · answer #4 · answered by imputh 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO
2007-05-21 18:55:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋