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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1
stranger
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OP
stranger
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.
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
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.
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 14
stranger
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stranger
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.
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