Big question, simply put. No "correct" answer. I wonder if this place can still muster a debate.

-- (lars@indy.net), March 10, 2002

Answers

IMO, generally "no". But sometimes "yes".

-- (lars@indy.net), March 10, 2002.

Sometimes maybe, but generally no..

-- Socrates (socrates@knowitall.com), March 10, 2002.

We don't need to think about these things when we have Google.

Does the end justify the means?

;o)))

Best Wishes,,,,,

Z

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), March 10, 2002.

No

-- Cherri (jessam5@home.com), March 10, 2002.

"No" as in "never"?

-- (lars@indy.net), March 10, 2002.

This question only acquires meaning in relation to an actual end and an actual means. Otherwise it is a bit like asking, "Is the destination worth the price of the ticket?" without knowing either the destination or the price.

-- Little Nipper (canis@minor.net), March 10, 2002.

But are there ever "ends"? Don't we live by "means"? Just asking.

Z, man cannot live on Google alone.

-- (lars@indy.net), March 10, 2002.

Lars,

You are right in that there is no correct answer. It all depends on the current situation. Each situation has to be independently judged.

-- SteveOH (thegoofycat@hotmail.com), March 10, 2002.

LN:

This question only acquires meaning in relation to an actual end and an actual means. Otherwise it is a bit like asking, "Is the destination worth the price of the ticket?" without knowing either the destination or the price.

Yes; are you thinking like Joseph Vissarionovich Dzhugahvili or Paul Joseph Goebbels? I wouldn't agree. Are you thinking like Laurie Garrett; it doesn't matter.

Are you thinking like Lars; I won't touch that one.

Best Wishes,,,,,

Z

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), March 10, 2002.

No, Z. I realize you have an answer to this highly theoretical question that you are satisfied with for the next several infinities. But, if asked, how would you go about proving it without invoking instances of it, where there was an actual end and an actual means invoked? And how would your proof be validated for all instances?

I am not so much thinking like Mr. 'Steely' as I am thinking like a scientist about a proposition. One may have a theory, but that is not the same as a proof.

-- Little Nipper (canis@minor.net), March 11, 2002.

Yes.

But in very limited circumstances. Personal opinion only. No hypothesis involved.

-- Jack Booted Thug (governmentconspiracy@NWO.com), March 11, 2002.

In the case on this war on terror, I'd say yes. We need to kill the bad guys in order to live in peace; I know it's a real oxymoron. I sure do hope that Isreal does the same with the Palestinians. They ought to get it over with and declare a winner. Fifty years of fighting is just way too long.

-- Maria (anon@ymous.com), March 12, 2002.

Yes. Absolutely. In every situation, absolutely unequivocally yes. Definitely positively yes.

Or not.

-- (dum@de.dum.dum), March 12, 2002.

Does the punishment fit the crime?

-- Pammy (asking@it.another way), March 12, 2002.

Unfortunately, I've been reading the Yates story. So today, Pammy, I don't think the punishment fits the crime often enough.

-- helen (blue@and.not.my.hair.today), March 12, 2002.

Does the square peg fit the round hole. Sob, no!

-- (Square Man, a wallflower @ the.orgy), March 12, 2002.

Imagine how this convers would go in a Hamas or Al Queda cell.

-- Carlos (riffraff@cybertime.net), March 13, 2002.