The Aims versus Means

By Raul Bernardino

 First of all, I would like to start with the definition of the words Aims and Means.

Aim defines as verb in which is meaning to direct, position, intend, guess, and strive. Aim defines as noun in which is meaning intended point, particular point, purpose, and the direction. It is also meaning as target, objective, goals, and END.

Mean defines as verb in which means to intend, to have, to value, to mind, and to be minded.  Mean defines as noun usually word is means in which is meaning resources, intermediate or between two extremes, and in math it is an average.

Therefore, the statement of the Machiavellians in which is stated that, “the aim justifies the means”. For me, especially on personal opinion, it is not quite confident to say yes or go with this idea because the aim itself, it is just a starting point or just the beginning of something and it is willing to achieve one target point. For example, in political aim sometimes the political leader will be sacrificing certain people to achieve common interest. Other example is today’s political tense where in the name of the democracy as common interest but in other hands there were lives that have been sacrificed. In the economic situation if the company in the country is monopoly certain goods and services, this company can play prices for their own goods by having a very good profit (higher profit) while sacrifices the customers. Therefore the free market and liberalization come to balance the situation.

Meanwhile, the statement from the Gandhi in which is stated that is, “the end is not important, only the means are important.”  I am quite confident and I do agree with the Gandhi statement because, the means itself is a result of the acts. And the means it also as a positive value to everyone. Therefore, Gandhi came with that statement.
We had coincidental discussion and found that many of my colleagues are favorites with Gandhi’s statement. They have same perception that, if something has a positive value or result it will have common good impact as well; and it also will be meaningful to everyone.

In my option the organization or even a nation will be use these two approaches differently. And it is totally depend on the political will of each country political leaders.

Conclusion:

These two approaches are relevant to the organization or  nations. And it is also totally depends on the leadership in the companies and in the nations. They can use this approaches for their own purposes.

References list:

• Huczynski, A & Buchanan, D (2007) Organizational Behaviour (6th Ed) Essex: Pearson Education
• Aim according to the dictionary [on-line]. Available from: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/aim  (Accessed Date: 1 February 2013)
• Means according to the dictionary [on-line]. Available from: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/means  (Accessed Date: 1 February 2013)