Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us  

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#792 03/21/2000 3:20 AM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1
stranger
stranger
Offline
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1
Does anyone know the word for the process whereby the end justifies the means? I knew it years ago and would like to use it at work but I can't remember it. Please help.


#793 03/22/2000 11:18 PM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981
jmh Offline
Pooh-Bah
Pooh-Bah
Offline
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981
I think you want Machiavellian

according to the Collins Dictionary (UK edition)

Machiavelli Niccolo - 1469-1527, Florentine Statesman and political philosopher, secretary to the war council of the Florentine republic (1498-1512). His most famous work is "Il Principe" (The Prince 1532).

Machiavellian (also spelt Machivelian), sometimes not capitalised
adj.
1. of or relating to the alleged political principles of Machiavelli; cunning, amoral and opportunist
2. a cunning, amoral and opportunist person, esp a politician

We usually attribute the idea that "the means always justifies the end" to Machiavelli but judging by the definition above, either a) that is a gross simplification of what he said/did or b) the Collins Dictionary is hedging its bets in case his descendants sue for libel.



#794 03/23/2000 12:55 AM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 14
stranger
stranger
Offline
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 14
I don't know a particular word. That the end justifies the means is sometimes called the Jesuitical plea - a reference that is understandably held to be both offensive and inaccurate by Jesuits.



Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.

Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat

© 1994-2025 Wordsmith

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 8.0.0