This file is copyright of Jens Schriver (c) It originates from the Evil House of Cheat More essays can always be found at: --- http://www.CheatHouse.com --- ... and contact can always be made to: Webmaster@cheathouse.com -------------------------------------------------------------- Essay Name : 649.txt Uploader : Caleb McLean Email Address : cable@ils.net Language : Canadian Eh? Subject : Philosophy Title : The End Justifies the Means Grade : 52% School System : High School Country : Ontairo, Canada Author Comments : I liked it! Teacher Comments : You have some good points, but they are lost because of sloppy style and mechanics which render your meaning unclear Date : October 2, 1996 Site found at : Alta Vista -------------------------------------------------------------- The End Justifies the Means by Caleb McLean for Ms. Sjoholm Sutton District High School Sutton West, Ontario October 2, 1996 A philosopher once said in one of his more controversial essays that "The End Justifies the Means." Through the ages this quotation could be applied, especially in today's society. This statement does have its positives and negatives. However, it still has some values. Most people look at this statement and ponder why this individual believes in such a thing. Believe it or not people do live like this and value it's simplicity. The statement is significant because it can justify many world issues that need to be addressed. However, this also brings on moral and ethical controversy. What the statement "The End Justifies the Means" means to me is simply this: The "End" simply means that it is the end of a complex or simple goal. "Justifies the Means" means that the "End" or goal is more important than how you got there. Once a goal has been brought forth, reaching that goal is the only thing that matters from that point on. No matter what you do to reach the goal, the goal is the only thing that matters. It does not matter how you get there. It's simply that you do get there. The World Wars are a prime example of the statement. Generally speaking wars are fought to gain peace. By this statement then recognizes the fact that peace is the end or goal of a war. Peace is generally the outcome of war. Therefore is it true to say that no matter how many people died during the World Wars the final goal of peace is finally attained. To everyone back home away from the war Peace was the hope. Thousands of soldiers died for peace. Peace was finally attained at the cost of someone's life. However if you subscribe to the theory that the end justifies the means that doesn't matter anymore now that peace was attained. So by saying that "Peace justifies that thousands of people died to serve their country" is unjust. Another example of the thesis statement is something that happens quite frequently in today's society. Eloping, sacrificing everything for love and happiness. My grandparents eloped. They loved each other greatly for a short while when one day they went out and got married against their parent's permission. This caused a great disturbance in both families which caused many a quarrel. However it was all irrelevant because my grandparents were happy. You see to them it didn't matter what their parents thought about the situation because they were together. The end justifies the means. They were happy and that's all that mattered to them. Eventually the families became adjusted to the situation and things became better after time. Lying is a key factor in the end justifies the means. If a person has to lie to reach a goal then so be it. Lying comes into the justification aspect of the statement. Occasionally it is a key factor. In my eyes to lie to reach a common goal is irrelevant when compared to the goal. However, this only applies to the situation. Lying is such a harsh word I prefer to use a diversion of the truth. A white lie will never harm or affect the final goal it is just a simple step in the greater picture. Another more objectionable argument is a hypothetical situation. Prisons cost thousands of taxpayers dollars every year. On average each inmate costs $250,000 to maintain, clothing, food, shelter etc.. What if all the prisoners who were up for murder trials, repeated offence's and other such heinous crimes were all executed. This essentially would save tax payers thousands of dollars. This money could be put to better use to educate or upgrade. Who knows the possibilities are limitless. This is yet another example of people laying down their lives to serve a greater purpose. The end justifies the means. However in most situations this thesis statement cannot apply and is irrelevant. Such an example is that of smoking. Every breath of smoke you or others inhale your life is shortened by a matter of hours. Most do not realize this once they start but they soon see the light. In this case the End does not Justify the means because it is a form of suicide. Wasting your hard earned money just to kill ones self. Another unfortunate side to this statement is those you hurt in the process of reaching one's goal. This however is unjust, it is cruel and mean to hurt those you love or any innocent people in pursuit of one's goal. Another such problem with the statement is that it leads to an unhappy way of life. Essentially it has it's up's and down's. Your up time is when you have reached your goal and rejoiced to see that has finally occurred. The down time is the pursuit of one's goal, and the moral implications it produces. In defense of these harsh objections I must say that smoking is a way of life or habit. Being a smoker I have found it is hard to quit but as statistics's show it can be done either through slowly weaning you off or through hypnosis. In defense of those that are hurt I have one thing to say life hurts, roll with the punches. In a sense it prepares people for the future eventually people will see it coming. Being unhappy is a part of life, it simply has it's up's and down's. Besides who is happy all the time? Essentially the end justifies the means. --------------------------------------------------------------