ends and means
Purposes and instruments
Ends and means is a phrase about goals and the methods used to achieve them.
The question of whether the ends justify the means asks if a worthy goal can excuse morally questionable actions taken to reach it.
Someone focused only on ends ignores how they get there; someone attentive to means cares about the path itself.
- goalsIntended end results
- purposeReason something exists
- justifyProvide adequate grounds for
- motivesReasons behind actions
- outcomesFinal results achieved
consequences · greater good · ethics · morality · lesser evil · results · intentions · achieve · whatever it takes · sacrifice · moral compromise · compromise · pragmatism · idealism · manipulation · strategy · cost · benefit
- Moral Dilemmastrolley problem, prisoner's dilemma, ticking bomb, tragic choice, mercy killing