The correct answer, IMO, is that the ends are never certain, but when you embark upon your means, the die is cast, and certain, as far as your means goes- so the ends (in a world where we are not psychic) do not justify the means. You better be able to live with the means you employ, on their own, because ends are uncertain.
You missed my main point. That is, the language(s) that we use is/are primitive and can not accurately answer the question(s) that you think you are answering.
Without trying to pick on you specifically, but analyze the thought in the first sentence that you wrote:
<<<the ends are never certain>>>
I know what you mean - and in that way, you may be correct.
<<<but when you embark upon your means, the die is cast, and certain, as far as your means goes- >>>
There again I know what you mean but it can be read in many ways and the validity can be endlessly argued without real resolution.
The world is complex. Even here in this one simple sentence, I don't think you can come up with a conclusion that you could stake your life on.
It is not your fault. Language is failing us. We can only do with it the best that we can. It is not clear enough. It is not accurate enough to convey what you would hope to be some kind of truth that would apply over many different situations if not over a long period of time. |
