Distinction of Mean/Ends
Associated with: The “end justifies the means”- a philosophy of consequential ethics
Definition: An ethical prescription that emphasizes the outcome of an action and determines moral correctness by weighing the merits of that action against the merits of the outcome.
Significance: Provides a basis for analyzing and evaluating moral deliberations.
Kantian ethicists (strict legalistic rulers) and situationists/utilitarians (subjective interpretations) argue over theories of ethics. Father of imperative category Kant believed that moral actions must hold up universally and unconditionally. On the other side, situationists argue that circumstances alter cases. Actions have no meaning or value in and of themselves; they become meaningful in the light of the purpose they serve. I.e. any act is either wrong or right depending on the situation. The essential meaning of this philosophy is that a good end justifies a bad means.
