Why does Machiavelli say the ends justify the means?
In his book called The Prince, he introduced the idea that “the ends justify the means”. According to Machiavelli, this theory suggests that almost any action or behavior is perfectly acceptable as long as it results in the desired outcome.
How does Machiavelli justify?
According to Machiavelli, the ends always justify the means—no matter how cruel, calculating or immoral those means might be. Tony Soprano and Shakespeare’s Macbeth may be well-known Machiavellian characters, but the man whose name inspired the term, Niccolo Machiavelli, didn’t operate by his own cynical rule book.
Who actually said the ends justify the means?
The end justifies the means is a phrase of Sergey Nechayev, the 19th century Russian revolutionary. It was part of a political philosophy called consequentialism. The basic idea is that a policy can be judged by its outcome.
Why the end doesn’t justify the means?
But as young kids, we learned that the “end doesn’t justify the means.” In other words, a positive outcome isn’t, well, a good thing if the methods used were dishonest or harmful to others. Ultimately, the underlying message of the adage is that only one thing matters more than outcome.
Does the means justify the ends?
Definition of the end justifies the means —used to say that a desired result is so good or important that any method, even a morally bad one, may be used to achieve it They believe that the end justifies the means and will do anything to get their candidate elected.
What is the meaning of the end does not justify the means?
But as young kids, we learned that the “end doesn’t justify the means.” In other words, a positive outcome isn’t, well, a good thing if the methods used were dishonest or harmful to others. On the contrary, cheating or avoiding hard classes might keep your GPA high, but using these means never justifies the end result.
What kind of person was Machiavelli?
Niccolò Machiavelli was an Italian Renaissance political philosopher and statesman and secretary of the Florentine republic. His most famous work, The Prince (1532), brought him a reputation as an atheist and an immoral cynic.
Does the means justify the end examples?
A good outcome excuses any wrongs committed to attain it. For example, He’s campaigning with illegal funds on the theory that if he wins the election the end will justify the means, or The officer tricked her into admitting her guilt—the end sometimes justifies the means.
Do the means always justify the ends?
Always yes. A person who commits an action, is committing it to achieve an end. By committing it, they are justifying the ends.
What did Machiavelli write about?
Writings. In office Machiavelli wrote a number of short political discourses and poems (the Decennali) on Florentine history. It was while he was out of office and in exile, however, that the “Florentine Secretary,” as Machiavelli came to be called, wrote the works of political philosophy for which he is remembered.
How do means justify ends?
When the means justify the ends, ethical consideration focuses on what you do, not the consequences of what you’ve done. Traditionally, focusing on means instead of ends leads to an ethics based on duties or rights.