Does the end justify the means?

[Mercuria]

I was just wondering if you guys think the end justifies the means. It's a difficult area in ethics.

Examples to ponder:

In order to find a cure for a terrible disease, testing needs to be conducted on animals. The animals do suffer, but a cure is found and many people are consequently able to live healthy lives. Justified?

A company uses unethical means to wipe out their competitors. Many people go bankrupt because of this and their families sink into poverty. The company rises to the top and sets up a large charity to help those in poverty. Justified?

A murder is commited and there's only one witness who isn't talking. The police blackmail her into naming the murderer and he is sent to jail. Justified?

I'm sure you can think of many more examples, I think when it comes to the end justifying the means you can only do it on a case by case basis.

Mercuria

[Armitage]

Depends on the situation, severity of need, etc. One of those things that no blanket judgement can be made for.

[flar7]

perhaps if you widen your perspective one might be able to
judge the ethics.

the police blackmail the witness. what is the goal/end?
justice? revenge? uphold law?
justice=yes revenge=no uphold the law=no
revenge is a negatively charged goal
you cant uphold law if you are gonna break law to do it.

but justice is different. there the details of each case become
pertinent. to catch a murderer who may murder more. then
blackmail may be an acceptable weapon to use. one can even
fabricate evidence for justice if you know through some unproved
way that the person is guilty

[Nina]

...where there is no all-encompassing yes or no answer. Nothing in this world is completely black or white, and we all have to make judgements. I wouldn't like to make the decision in any of those cases.

[Myst]

Ends justified by means? Probably depends on intent.

[Margie]

I say if the end would have to be very great to justify evil means of obtaining it. Basically like everyone else said-depends on the situation.

[Lavender]

Also, a lot depends on your own personal comfort level. You have to ask yourself how far would you go? Sometimes, the end does justify the means. Sometimes, it doesn't. It's something you have to live with after you've made the decision. Like everyone else said, there is no straight yes or no. Each situation has to be looked at as a separate thing.

[Arduinna]

Do the ends justify the means? Good Question. Maybe, maybe not? I would have to decide on a case by case basis.