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==Origin (means)==
Late [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English], the early sense of being '[[intermediary]]'.
==Definition==
*1: a [[thing]] that is not valued or important in itself but is useful in achieving an aim: a computer is merely a ''means to an end''.
==Descriptions==
In [[philosophy]], the term '''means to an end''' refers to any [[action]] (the means) carried out for the sole [[purpose]] of [[achieving]] something else (an end). It can be [[thought]] of as a [[metaphysical]] distinction, as no [[empirical]] [[information]] differentiates actions that are means to ends from those that are not—that are "ends in themselves." It has been incurred that all actions are means to other ends; this is relevant when considering the [[meaning]] of [[life]].
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immanuel_Kant Immanuel Kant]'s theory of [[morality]], the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Categorical_imperative categorical imperative], states that it is immoral to use another person merely as a means to an end, and that people must, under all circumstances, be treated as ends in themselves. This is in [[contrast]] to some [[interpretations]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilitarianism utilitarian] view, which allow for use of [[individuals]] as means to benefit the many.
==Satyagraha==
The theory of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satyagraha satyagraha] sees ''means and ends'' as inseparable. The means used to obtain an end are wrapped up in and [[attached]] to that end. Therefore, it is [[contradictory]] to try to use unjust means to obtain [[justice]] or to try to use [[violence]] to obtain [[peace]]. As Gandhi wrote: “They say, 'means are, after all, means'. I would say, 'means are, after all, everything'. As the means so the end...”
Gandhi used an example to explain this:
<blockquote>If I want to deprive you of your watch, I shall certainly have to fight for it; if I want to buy your watch, I shall have to pay for it; and if I want a gift, I shall have to plead for it; and, according to the means I employ, the watch is stolen property, my own property, or a donation.</blockquote>
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandhi Gandhi] [[rejected]] the idea that injustice should, or even could, be fought against “by any means [[necessary]]” – if you use [[violent]], [[coercive]], unjust means, whatever ends you produce will necessarily embed that injustice. To those who [[preached]] violence and called nonviolent actionists [[cowards]], he replied: “I do believe that, where there is only a choice between cowardice and violence, I would advise violence....I would rather have India resort to arms in order to defend her honour than that she should, in a cowardly [[manner]], become or remain a helpless witness to her own dishonour....But I believe that [[nonviolence]] is infinitely superior to violence, [[forgiveness]] is more manly than punishment.”
[[Category: Philosophy]]
==Origin (means)==
Late [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English], the early sense of being '[[intermediary]]'.
==Definition==
*1: a [[thing]] that is not valued or important in itself but is useful in achieving an aim: a computer is merely a ''means to an end''.
==Descriptions==
In [[philosophy]], the term '''means to an end''' refers to any [[action]] (the means) carried out for the sole [[purpose]] of [[achieving]] something else (an end). It can be [[thought]] of as a [[metaphysical]] distinction, as no [[empirical]] [[information]] differentiates actions that are means to ends from those that are not—that are "ends in themselves." It has been incurred that all actions are means to other ends; this is relevant when considering the [[meaning]] of [[life]].
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immanuel_Kant Immanuel Kant]'s theory of [[morality]], the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Categorical_imperative categorical imperative], states that it is immoral to use another person merely as a means to an end, and that people must, under all circumstances, be treated as ends in themselves. This is in [[contrast]] to some [[interpretations]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilitarianism utilitarian] view, which allow for use of [[individuals]] as means to benefit the many.
==Satyagraha==
The theory of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satyagraha satyagraha] sees ''means and ends'' as inseparable. The means used to obtain an end are wrapped up in and [[attached]] to that end. Therefore, it is [[contradictory]] to try to use unjust means to obtain [[justice]] or to try to use [[violence]] to obtain [[peace]]. As Gandhi wrote: “They say, 'means are, after all, means'. I would say, 'means are, after all, everything'. As the means so the end...”
Gandhi used an example to explain this:
<blockquote>If I want to deprive you of your watch, I shall certainly have to fight for it; if I want to buy your watch, I shall have to pay for it; and if I want a gift, I shall have to plead for it; and, according to the means I employ, the watch is stolen property, my own property, or a donation.</blockquote>
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandhi Gandhi] [[rejected]] the idea that injustice should, or even could, be fought against “by any means [[necessary]]” – if you use [[violent]], [[coercive]], unjust means, whatever ends you produce will necessarily embed that injustice. To those who [[preached]] violence and called nonviolent actionists [[cowards]], he replied: “I do believe that, where there is only a choice between cowardice and violence, I would advise violence....I would rather have India resort to arms in order to defend her honour than that she should, in a cowardly [[manner]], become or remain a helpless witness to her own dishonour....But I believe that [[nonviolence]] is infinitely superior to violence, [[forgiveness]] is more manly than punishment.”
[[Category: Philosophy]]