Does the Means Justify the Ends?

Paper Summary:

The author of this paper examines the premise that militant action can be used to obtain specific goals but is never justifiable. The author examines the views of David Walker, a black activist who advocated violent revolution to free black Americans. He then examines two movies based on events around the Vietnam war: the military strategy of Robert McNamara ("Fog of War") and the anti Vietnam terrorism of the "Weatherman" group ("Weather Underground"). The author concludes that a militant stance and subsequent course of action can and does accomplish goals, but it is never justified. The author goes on to propose that this state of mind can be very effective, and can even change what we consider morally acceptable, but there is a very fine line between fighting for a cause and taking on the characteristics of the enemy.

From the Paper:

"To put it plainly, militant means accomplish the ends, but do not justify them. In my opinion, violence is never acceptable, but often our perception of a situation is skewed when we are passionate about a cause. Yet, there is always another solution that someone hasn't thought of. I think that idea can be compared to what is going on in Iraq today, though on a smaller scale. Our aggressive offensive strategy has accomplished our goal of removing Saddam Hussein from power, yet I don't believe that our occupation and destruction of Iraq can be justified. We are fighting the "War on Terror," so people are more willing to continue sending our soldiers over there to be killed and to destroy the country further, even though we seem to be in a stalemate. America always has to have the last word, so we will continue fighting until the entire country of Iraq is annihilated."

Sample of Sources Used:

• The Fog of War. Dir. Errol Morris. 2003. DVD. Sony Pictures Classics, 2004.
• The Weather Underground. Dir. Sam Green. 2003. DVD. New Video Group, 2004.
• Walker, David. "Walker's Appeal." Negotiating Difference. Boston: Bedford, 1996.

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