Does the end justify the means?
Yes
Side Score: 8
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No
Side Score: 8
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Yes BUT if you ever take the most ruthless means 'for the sake of it' or for barely any additional gain in ends, proportionally, compared to the less harsher means then the means prove you to be an immoral person. I actually agree with you on this more than I disagree. If you don't absolutely have to do something evil for the greater good you should never do it. But if it's the only way, sometimes it is worth it to do "bad" things. Side: Yes
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It can be the case that the ends justify the means, but this is the rare exception in extreme circumstances. Making it a rule of conduct leads to vicious behavior and ultimately dire ends. This is why models of virtue have been most successful in producing mutually beneficial and moral societies. Virtue requires justified conduct (means) in pursuit of justified ends. When focus is put on the means, the ends will more often turn out right. The declaration that “the ends justify the means” is most often merely the rationalization of bad actors with bad intentions attempting to convince would-be opposition to accept bad deeds. Side: No
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