Reflection Activity: According to utilitarianism, the ends sometimes justify the means. In other words, actions that might ordinarily be considered wrong are justified when they are done in order to achieve some goal of greater moral importance. The Survival Lottery is an example where some lives are sacrificed in order to save a greater number of lives. Similar reasoning was used during World War II when the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing tens of thousands of civilians in order to prevent a protracted war that was expected to cost the lives of a greater number of soldiers. Are we ever justified in performing actions with terrible consequences in order to achieve other purposes? Why or why not? If you believe the ends can only sometimes justify the means, be specific as to where the line should be drawn. Give your post a title according to the position you take.
Instructions: Post your response in the Discussion Board "Can the Ends Justify the Means?" and give your post a title according to the position you are taking.