End Justifies Means

The purpose of the essay is to determine whether "the end justifies the mean" throughout Niccolo Machiavelli's "The Prince". With Machiavelli's principles in mind, it seems that we are faced with an issue regarding whether the desired ends can be justified by the means and if we use these potential principles as a way to achieve things we desire in life. The question whether the end justifies the means depends on the type of goal or outcome an individual wants to accomplish and the means that they use to achieve their result. From my understanding if both the means and the ends are equally eminent and good, then how can it be considered a question if the ends are justified by the means? To expand it would be difficult to argue that there are …show more content…
In turn, the person would justify the lying by saying that it is a means to receive a larger income in order for them to provide for their family. On the other hand, if one were to justify an abortion that would, in the end save the mother's life. One could say that based on these two illustrations, there is a problem between what is done and what ought to be done. Machiavelli states "that many have imagined Republic and principalities that have never been seen or known to exist in truth; for it is so far from how one lives to how one should live that he who lets go of what is done for what should be done learns his ruin rather than his preservation. For a man who wants to make a profession of good in all regards must come to ruin among so many who are not good. Hence it is necessary to a prince, if he wants to maintain himself, to learn to be able not to be good and use this and not use it according to necessity". (Machiavelli, The Prince Ch. …show more content…
Many believe that certain actions are inherently bad, things like murder, torture, stealing. However, lying for example is always bad. That is to say, these actions are never justified". I believe that no one can use bad means for any good end, for example; let's take an individual who is trying to build a great house from bad materials – logically it does not work. The caption "the end justifies the means" can fool anyone, if not carefully understood as to what its intentions are we instead fail to see the end itself. To elaborate, take the World Wars. Are the ends of such ruthless means necessary? Based on the government's approach, they do not care whatever the means are, their objective is only to win. In Addition to a victory, and although it may mean losing lives and property. The only judgment is success and any means that would contribute to success is thought to be justified, but not by everyone. To explain any success can be used in way that we all measure the benefit of the means. Although, some benefits are superficial and do not last long. From this the term "the end justifies the means" contradicts Machiavelli's main point that a prince must be able to think about future events and prepare for potential dilemmas. If an individual really thinks the way Machiavelli does, than hypothetically they would