Philosophy question of the day

[Dominus]

No, it's not something like "would you have sex with your son blah blah blah".

Is it ever morally right to flex one's muscle even if the cause is right? By muscle, I don't mean literally muscle.

Small country bullies smaller country. Big powerful country tells small country to stop it or it will be pummeled. Of course, big country has no intention of actually do anything, but its presence is enough to get small country to stop.

Medium guy bullies small guy. Big muscular guy tells medium guy to stop it or he will get pummeled in the head. Big guy doesn't really intends on picking on the medium guy, but it works and the medium guy stops picking on the small guy.

In any other circumstance, society views using one's resources to tell another with lesser resources what to do to be immoral. But what if the cause is just?

 

[cityboy-stl]

It is not wrong to stand up for what is right or to prevent cruelty and suffering. Beating up on others is also immoral.

 

[EddMarkStarr]

One of the oldest, great questions, "does the end justifies the means?".
I wonder how many guys end up in jail because they claim that a noble goal excuses any wrongs committed to attain it?

Amazing how the question changes when you move from individuals to societies and/or countries.