Cabornay, Ma. Elaine A.

PART I. The ends does not justify the means

1. The concept of the statement is on where there are some things that started with a good
cause but ended not exactly the way it should be. The pinpoint of the thought is on the
intention that was expected to be however resulted in a different manner.

2. The end does not justify means if the long term outcome of ignoring moral principles in
order to achieve a short term product, results in a failure of goal. In contrast to the ends
that has been justified by means, the methods of achieving the good cause is
unacceptable and violates morality.

3. The underlying assumption of “ends does not justifies the means” is how a person will
get into where he intends to, including the reasons and processes used to accomplish
the goal. The only thing that matters is the outcome.

4. The essence of the statement is even if the action, processes and methodologies seems
unacceptable and unethical, the outcome or result meant was not really evil. It applies to
cases to where the moral result or outcome is truly superior to action.

5. And lastly, it means that having evil processes in the first place that coincidentally would
have a good consequence is not enough excuse for the latter to conduct such immoral
action for he does not even know what will be the next possibility of outcomes after his
intentions have been fulfilled.

PART II. The ends justifies the means

1. The essence of the phrase is to deliberate the purpose, goal and intentions are the most
important things that whatever means of achieving it is acceptable. However it denotes
the notion of just using every means only to accomplish on what he purports, in fact it
requires justified moral actions.

2. It cannot be denied that there are implications and problems when unworthy means are
being used to achieve valuable ends. If an end or goal is worthy, any means for
perpetrating that particular ends is justifiable, it is a natural verdict that both ends and
means are commendable and satisfactory.

3. We can only conclude that an end is justified by means if, the means or approach that is
used are also ethical, communal and morally upright. Therefore, if one mean alone is
normally unacceptable in terms of morality of action, it may not be served as a basis of
action though it seems good on the surface.

4. If one adopts a particular mean that is potentially bad in nature, it cannot serve as a
positive method even though it may appear right on the surface. An outcome is achieved
through an ethical approach, justified and not the wrong mean.

5. And lastly, when the sole purpose is noble, advantageous and will help not only one
party instead other related parties, one must use the ethical means to justify the ends.