Consequentialism

Consequentialism

Action is right/good because it maximizes the amount of goodness (usually understood as happiness/well-being) in the world

What does it mean for an action to be optimific? (or how does consequentialism decide whether an action is right or wrong)

It produces the greatest net balance of good over bad and by comparing consequences and choosing the action that produces the most overall good.

What is the biggest difference between consequentialism and Kant’s ethics?

Consequentialism focuses on outcomes; Kant focuses on duties and whether actions follow moral principles.

Five-step decision procedure

1. identify what in intrinsically good

2. identify what is intrinsically bad

3. determine all of your options

4. for each option determine the value of its results

5. pick the action that yields the greatest net balance of good over bad

What is usually considered intrinsically good in consequentialism?

Well-being, happiness, or pleasure

What is usually considered intrinsically bad in consequentialism?

Suffering, pain, or misery

Does consequentialism require helping the greatest number of people?

No. It requires maximizing overall good, even if fewer people receive a much greater benefit.

What matters more: number of people helped or total well-being?

Total well -being; helping more people isn’t always the best outcome

Does consequentialism always require the greatest amount of happiness?

It seeks the greatest net good: happiness weighed against suffering and other bad consequences

What is the difference between actual and expected results?

Actual results are what happen; expected results are what could reasonably be predicted beforehand

Can a well-intentioned action have bad actual consequences?

Yes. Good intentions can lead to harmful results that weren’t reasonably expected.

Can an action with good consequences still be morally wrong under expected-outcome views?

Yes. An action may turn out well despite being an unreasonable or risky choice.

Are an action’s moral status and the person’s intentions always the same?

No. An action can produce bad results while the person’s intentions remain praiseworthy

What does impartiality mean in consequentialism?

Everyone’s well-being counts equally

How does consequentialism help resolve moral conflicts?

It compares the likely good and bad outcomes of the available choices

What is moral flexibility in consequentialism?

Moral rules aren’t absolute; exceptions may be justified when they produce better outcomes

What is one concern about impartiality?

Sometimes we have special responsibilities to particular people, such as family or someone we’ve harmed

What is the problem of time for consequentialism?

There may not be enough time to calculate every consequence before acting.

Why can judging actions only by actual outcomes be problematic?

A distant, unexpected disaster could make a past reasonable decision seem wrong in hindsight

What is the main goal of consequentialism?

To choose actions that maximize overall goodness and minimize bad consequences.