An Introduction to Consequential and Deontological Theories of Ethics LHS – Current Issues

An Overview of Ethical Theories

Consequentialist Theory This theory (philosophy) holds that evaluating results is more important the evaluating actions “The good is more fundamental that the right” Thus, rightness or wrongness of actions is definable in terms of the goodness or badness of the result Ex – stealing your neighbor’s lawnmower is wrong because it makes your neighbor very unhappy

Deontological Theory This theory asserts that the idea of right or wrong cannot be defined in terms of good or bad Ex – stealing your neighbor’s lawn mower is wrong because stealing is (always, according to Kant) wrong

Consequentialism, Developed Two big questions – What is intrinsically good? (intrinsically = good in itself, not b/c it leads to something else that is good) Examples: happiness, pleasure, satisfaction of preferences (one thing over another) – For whom is it more intrinsically good? Me? My friends / family? Members of my community / nation? All people? All rational beings? Sentient beings?

Types of Consequentialism In general, there are two “flavors” of consequentialism – Egoism = right action is one that maximizes intrinsic good for the actor – Utilitarianism = right action is one that produces the most intrinsic good for everyone affected So let’s take another look at that chart in light of what we know…

An Overview of Ethical Theories

Utilitarianism What is it? – A philosophy that evaluates actions based upon the action’s tendency to cause happiness and prevent pain – An action that increases happiness would be judged “good” (why?) – But an action that causes pain would be judged “bad” (why?) – An action that increases happiness for many would be judged good, even if it caused pain to a few – But an action that causes pain for many would be judged bad, even if it increased happiness for a few

Utilitarianism Things to ask yourself – What is the action being evaluated? – How is happiness / pain (“social utility”) defined? – Identify the group(s) affected – Quantify, if possible, the amount of utility to different groups – What is the desirability of the result?

Examples / Practice! Guilty / Innocent dilemmadilemma Star Trek dilemmadilemma Batman dilemmadilemma