ELI5- What’s the meaning of “The end justifies the means”?
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The straightforward meaning of the phrase is that some actions deemed “wrong” or “unethical” may be done if the end result of those actions result in some “greater good”.
It should be explained that this is the kind of justification used to do rather bad things for rather questionable goals. So it can be said to be lazy or ‘self justifying’. In a sense, it does (or implies) several not so good things
1) It can be selfish. This absolves the actor from considering harm to others simply by saying that their intended goals are doing more good.
2) It can be arrogant/narcissistic. The person using this as justification usually starts by thinking “I am better/smarter/more enlightened that everyone else. I can do anything because I believe that my goals are more important than anyone else’s”
3) It removes the need for deeper thought or greater effort. Rather than negotiate, compromise or working harder for some common goal or good, this justification is used to take shortcuts and ignore the needs of others.
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