The end justifies the means facts for kids
The end justifies the means is a phrase of Sergey Nechayev, the 19th century Russian revolutionary. It means that if a goal is morally important enough, any method of getting it is acceptable.
The idea is ancient, but it was not meant to justify unnecessary cruelty. It was part of a political philosophy called consequentialism. The basic idea is that a policy can be judged by its outcome. All modern versions of consequentialism have to deal with the limitations necessary to prevent tyrants abusing this idea.
Images for kids
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Jeremy Bentham, best known for his advocacy of utilitarianism
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Max Weber
See also
In Spanish: Consecuencialismo para niños
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