A634.2.4.RB - Theories of Ethics

A634.2.4.RB - Theories of Ethics

Consequentialism is an approach to ethics that argues that the morality of an action is contingent on the action's outcome or consequence. Thus, a morally right action is one that produces a good outcome or result, and the consequences of an action or rule generally outweigh all other considerations (i.e. the ends justify the means).

It is distinct from the other main types of ethical system: deontology (which derives the rightness or wrongness of an act from the character of the act itself rather than the outcomes of the action. Consequentialist theories must consider questions like "What sort of consequences count as good consequences?", "Who is the primary beneficiary of moral action?", "How are the consequences judged and who judges them?"

Deontology is an approach to ethics that focuses on the rightness or wrongness of actions themselves, as opposed to the rightness or wrongness of the consequences of those actions (consequentialism).

Thus, to a deontologist, whether a situation is good or bad depends on whether the action that brought it about was right or wrong. What makes a choice "right" is its conformity with a moral norm: Right takes priority over Good. For example, if someone proposed to kill everyone currently living on land that could not support agriculture in order to bring about a world without starvation, a deontologist would argue that this world without starvation was a bad state of affairs because of the way in which it was brought about. A consequentialist would (or could) argue that the final state of affairs justified the drastic action. (Mastiin, 2008)

To better understanding of these two theories lets further look at how they are different.

The consequentialist thinks the rules are derivative. They are defensible only if following them will bring the best consequence. Deontologists claim that out moral obligations--whatever they are— defined by the rules, partly independently of consequences. Even when following moral rules does not have the best consequences, we should adhere to them. Deontologists contend there are strict moral limits on what we can do to others. (LaFollette, 2007)

Works Cited

LaFollette, H. (2007). The Practice of Ethics. Malden: Blackwell publishing.

Mastiin, L. (2008). The Basic of Philosophy. Retrieved from Ethics: http://www.philosophybasics.com/branch_ethics.html