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| 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]]. | | 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]]. |
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− | [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. | + | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immanuel_Kant Immanuel Kant]'s theory of [[morality]], the [https://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 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilitarianism utilitarian] view, which allow for use of [[individuals]] as means to benefit the many. |
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− | 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...” | + | The theory of [https://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...” |
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| Gandhi used an example to explain this: | | Gandhi used an example to explain this: |
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| <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> | | <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> |
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− | [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.” | + | [https://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.” |
| ==Quote== | | ==Quote== |
| Much of your [[past]] life and its [[memories]], having neither spiritual [[meaning]] nor morontia [[value]], will perish with the material [[brain]]; much of material [[experience]] will pass away as onetime [[scaffolding]] which, having bridged you over to the [[morontia]] level, no longer serves a [[purpose]] in the universe. But [[personality]] and the [[relationships]] between personalities are never scaffolding; mortal memory of personality relationships has [[cosmic]] [[value]] and will [[persist]]. ([[112:5|112:5.22]]) | | Much of your [[past]] life and its [[memories]], having neither spiritual [[meaning]] nor morontia [[value]], will perish with the material [[brain]]; much of material [[experience]] will pass away as onetime [[scaffolding]] which, having bridged you over to the [[morontia]] level, no longer serves a [[purpose]] in the universe. But [[personality]] and the [[relationships]] between personalities are never scaffolding; mortal memory of personality relationships has [[cosmic]] [[value]] and will [[persist]]. ([[112:5|112:5.22]]) |
| [[Category: Philosophy]] | | [[Category: Philosophy]] |