Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely

reply to post by kwakakev


Robin Hood is considered a good guy despite doing evil. The philosophy of utilitarianism excuses violating the rights of minorities to please the majority.

The point is people make excuses when they do evil and act like their intentions is what matters. In that case if Stalin thought he was doing good by purging the religious who can argue with him? The point is intentions do not justify the action. If you don't have principles that aren't relative, nothing can keep you in check.

reply to post by 547000

The point is people make excuses when they do evil and act like their intentions is what matters.

A doctor sometimes has to cut of a leg to save the body. He does not want to inflict the damage but when larger issues are at stake difficult decisions must be made. The ethos 'do no harm' is not black and white, it takes consideration and judgment of all the issues to make. If the doctor decided not to cut the leg because it would hurt, the patient would have died. Intention is important, but there is more to it.

If you don't have principles that aren't relative, nothing can keep you in check.

You need the principles that are relative, the community keeps you in check