The Ethics of Ends and Means: A Philosophical Debate on Consequentialism in Machiavelli’s Political Thought

Автори:
Страници: 33-43
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54664/VTTL6569

Резюме:

This paper asks the question of whether political ends can be justified by immoral means, and then examines this dilemma in relation to the political philosophies of Niccollo Machiavelli, as expressed in The Prince. The doctrine of Machiavelli, which has been summarised as the end justifies the means, is examined as a type of early consequentialist reasoning, where the state exists to remain alive and politically stable regardless of moral restrictions. The paper puts his perspective in a wider context of ethical issues in comparison with Kantian deontology which insists on universal moral obligations and Aristotelian virtue ethics which lay stress on moral character and societal well-being. The particular focus is on the rather unique concept of virtù by Machiavelli that redefines virtue not as a moral excellence but as a political one. Using historical precedents and modern Nigerian politics, the paper points out how manipulation of elections, corruption, and dictatorship are practices that indicate Machiavellian consequentialism and degrade long-term legitimacy. According to the analysis, the realism by Machiavelli offers useful insights on the nature of power and the issue of political necessity but fosters normative vacuity because of lack of ethical boundaries on statecraft. The paper proposes that there ought to be a middle way of combining political pragmatism with moral responsibility, referring to both Rawlsian justice and African communitarian ethics as alternative approaches. Finally, the paper concludes that although the wisdom of Machiavelli is still applicable to contemporary times, a viable political order must install a sense of realism into an ethical worldview that promotes justice, honour, and legitimacy.

Ключови думи:

Machiavelli, consequentialism, deontology, virtue ethics, Nigerian politics.

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