Write a Note on the Role of Ends and Means in Gandhian Philosophy
One of the core principles of Gandhian philosophy is the intimate connection between ends and means. Gandhi famously said, “As the means, so the end.” This means that the methods used to achieve a goal are just as important as the goal itself.
Gandhi believed that ethical means inevitably lead to ethical outcomes. If the path taken is tainted by violence, deceit, or injustice, the final result will also carry those flaws, no matter how noble the intention. Thus, he emphasized the use of non-violent and truthful methods in both personal and political life.
This principle was central to his strategy of Satyagraha—resistance through truth and non-violence. Gandhi demonstrated that lasting change must be achieved through moral action, not by compromising values for short-term success.
In a world where ends often justify means, Gandhi’s insistence on moral purity in both was revolutionary and remains highly relevant today.