Consequential ethics, also known as consequentialism, is a results-based approach to determining whether an action is right or wrong.
Understanding Consequentialism
Consequentialism is a theory in ethics that focuses on the outcomes or consequences of an action to evaluate its moral status. As the name suggests, it's all about the results.
Based on the principles of consequentialism:
- Whether an act is right or wrong depends only on the results of that act. This is the fundamental tenet – the intent behind the action or the nature of the action itself (like lying or stealing) is not the primary factor; the consequences are.
- The more good consequences an act produces, the better or more right that act. Actions are morally evaluated on a spectrum based on the amount of good they produce. An action leading to better outcomes is considered more morally right than one leading to less good outcomes.
Essentially, consequential ethics holds that the end justifies the means, provided the end result is good.
Core Principles in Summary
| Principle | Focus | Moral Determination |
|---|---|---|
| Depends only on results | Outcomes | Rightness/Wrongness |
| More good consequences = Better/More Right | Quantity | Degree of Rightness |
How it Works in Practice
Consider a simple hypothetical scenario:
- Action: You tell a lie.
- Scenario A: The lie causes significant harm and suffering to many people.
- Scenario B: The lie prevents a catastrophe and saves many lives with no significant negative side effects.
According to consequentialism, the same action (telling a lie) would be judged differently based on its consequences:
- In Scenario A, the lie would be considered morally wrong due to the bad consequences.
- In Scenario B, the lie might be considered morally right or at least less wrong due to the overwhelmingly good consequences.
The focus is strictly on the outcome of the action when evaluating its morality.
