Comforting Lie #2 – Ethical ends by Unethical means

Article by Bob Podolsky republished by permission on Nov. 18, 2015
Originally published at Titanians.org

 

Good (ethical) ends can be attained by bad (unethical) means.

Logically, it is impossible to derive ethical ends by unethical means. This like having a war for the sake of peace or having sex for the preservation of chastity.

This second comforting lie violates the E+ Ethic by definition. It also violates Ethical Principles

2. Ethical actions always increase someone’s creativity without destroying, limiting, or diminishing anyone’s creativity.

3. Unethical means can never achieve ethical ends and always have unethical consequences.

4. Means which are not ethical ends in themselves are never ethical.

so it is clearly false.