Presentation on consequentialism, Deontology, and Machiavelli’s principle of ethics

Consequentialism Is a class of normative ethical theories The ethical approach “depends on the consequences”. Consequentialism is based on two principles: Whether an act is right or wrong depends only on the results of that act The more good consequences an act produces, the better or more right that act

Forms of consequentialism Utilitarianism Act Utilitarianism Rule Utilitarianism B. Ethical egoism

Utilitarianism That actions are right if they are useful or for the benefit of a majority. Characterized by two elements: Happiness and Consequences According to Jeremy Bentham,” the greatest good is the greatest pleasure of the greatest number.” According to J.S Mill, the act that promotes happiness is moral and the act that causes pain is immoral.

Rule utilitarianism According to rule utilitarians, a) a specific action is morally justified if it conforms to a justified moral rule; and b) a moral rule is justified if its inclusion into our moral code would create more utility than other possible rules (or no rule at all).

Act utilitarianism Whenever we are deciding what to do, we should perform the action that will create the greatest net utility.

Ethical Egoism Egoism is a theory of ethics that sets as its goal the benefit, pleasure, or greatest good of the oneself alone.

Criticism of consequentialism Elizabeth Anscombe (1919 - 2001) has objected to Consequentialism on the grounds that it does not provide guidance in what one ought to do, since the rightness or wrongness of an action is determined based solely on the consequences it produces.

Quotation Every advantage in the past is judged in the light of the final issue. —Demosthenes

Ethical theories

Ethical theories Ethical theories are the theories which is concerned with the philosophical study of moral value of a human conduct and of the rules and principles that ought to govern it. It attempts to provide general norms for the guidance and evaluation of moral conduct

Ethical theories

Deontology Etymologically, deontology is derived from the Greek words deon, “duty,” and logos, “science.” In deontological ethics an action is considered morally good because of some characteristic of the action itself, not because the product of the action is good. (Do your best, not to be based on RESULT.)

It falls under the moral theories that guide and assess our choices of what we ought to do in contrast to those that guide and assess what kind of person we are and should be. Its central principle lies in the conformity of an action to some rule or law. The first great philosopher to define deontological principles was Immanuel Kant, the 18th-century German founder of critical philosophy

Actions in deontology are always judged independently of their outcome The theory of deontology states that we are morally obligated to act in accordance with a certain set of principles and rules regardless of outcome For example: Actions in deontology are always judged independently of their outcome Actions No cheating in exam Consequences good/poor marks

Deontological theories hold that some acts are always wrong, even if the act leads to an admirable outcome, for example robbery, lying, murdering etc.

Kant’s categorical imperative

Categorical imperative It is an absolute moral obligation to do or not to do something that applies to all rational beings with no considerations. For example : If you want to lose weight, you shouldn’t eat chocolate…(hypothetical imperative) The moral rules, Never tell a lie, you shouldn’t murder {if you want to avoid punishment}; unconditioned

According to Kant, the moral worth of an action is determined by the human will (good will), which is the only thing in the world that can be considered good without qualification. The Good will is exercised by acting according to moral duty/law.

Z

There are three formulations of Kant’s categorical imperative The First Formulation of the Imperative Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law without contradiction. Kant states that a true moral proposition must not be tied to any particular conditions, including the identity of the person making the decision. Example: Robbery is a heinous act. It is taken bad by US people, English People, and Nepali people.

The Second Formulation of the Imperative “Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never merely as a means to an end but always at the same time as an end.” The Third Formulation of the Imperative “Every rational being must so act as if he were through his maxim always a legislating member in the universal kingdom of ends.” Every person must act as a leader of his or her rules and must govern the world covered with consequentialism.

Overview of the theory Universal principles and rules Rules and laws bind duty Universal principles and rules Right action = moral (Deontology) Actions Good Result = moral (Consequentialism) Consequences

Business applications This theory is rule-based and absolute, giving us some rules to follow in moral decision making and being independent of circumstances…(being honest and loyal) Emphasis on humanistic dimension into business decisions introducing the value and dignity of every human beings Stresses on importance of motivation and of acting on principles

Criticism Kant underestimates the importance of taking consequences into account when considering an action The new business era verdicts, “Think of end and start your journey.” There are some conflict of rules. What happens when we face a scenario that forces us to choose between two or more obligatory moral rules? Some times lies are essential for the preservation of humanity. Absolutism in some circumstances can be very troubling and arguably irrational: Shouldn’t a rule be broken if following it would lead to harmful consequences? Even rule changes with time.

Differences Consequentialism Deontology The end justifies the means The end doesn’t justify the means The morally right action is the action that produces the most good The morally right action is the action governed by duty and rules as consequences are beyond our control Evaluates the moral rightness of a decision based on its outcome Evaluates the moral rightness of an action no matter what the consequence is It favors good over right It advocates right over good

Machiavelli’s principle of ethics Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) an Italian political and military theorist, civil servant, historian, playwright, and poet. radical ethical thinker is the first major thinker to judge actions solely in terms of their consequences Talks about confucion ethics

An action is good not because God commands it, nor because it comes from virtue, but because its consequences are the attainment and keeping of power. wrote “The Prince” as a leadership instruction manual for the ruling Princes of the Italian city states at the time.  Machiavelli had made power the ultimate concern, and set ethics against the background of unchanging human depravity.

Machiavelli’s principles in business Don’t be overly generous. Divide and conquer. Leaders should be honorable but not if it threatens their rule. Keep discipline and order. If the result is good, the means will be accepted.

Focuses on the point that people have to do something not necessarily good to attain something good. Leaders should be prepared to do evil when necessary to gain power. According to Kai Nielsen –”where the only choice is between evil and evil, it can never be wrong , and it will always be right , to choose the lesser evil.”