What is Consequentialism?

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Consequentialism is a moral theory that evaluates the moral value of an action based on its consequences. It argues that an action is morally right or wrong depending solely on its outcome, rather than on the intention behind it.

Utilitarianism

There are several variations of consequentialism, but the most well-known is utilitarianism.

Utilitarianism holds that the moral value of an action is based on the amount of overall pleasure or happiness it produces for the greatest number of people. According to this theory, the morally right action is the one that maximizes overall pleasure and minimizes overall pain.

Utilitarianism has been championed by many philosophers, including Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) and John Stuart Mill (1806-1873). They developed methods such as the hedonic calculus to compute the total pleasures and pains of an action’s consequences.

Advantages

1. Simplicity

One of the main advantages of consequentialism is its simplicity. By simply assessing the outcomes of an action, consequentialism provides a clear and straightforward way to evaluate its morality. This makes it an attractive theory for those who value clarity and objectivity in their moral reasoning.

2. Flexibility and Practicality

Another advantage of consequentialism is its focus on the real-world consequences of an action. Unlike virtue ethics and deontological ethics, which may rely on abstract principles, consequentialism requires us to consider the context and actual impact of an action. This makes it a more practical and flexible moral theory, providing clear criteria for evaluating moral decisions for different kinds of situations.

Criticisms

1. Neglect of Motives and Intentions

Critics point out that consequentialism is too focused on outcomes, neglecting the importance of motives and intentions. They argue that the intentions behind an action are just as important, if not more important, than its outcomes. For example, lying in order to not hurt someone’s feelings may have a positive outcome, however it might also be morally wrong because it involves deceit and manipulation.

2. Possible Violation of Individual Rights

Another criticism of consequentialism is that it can lead to the violation of individual rights. If the goal of morality is merely to maximize overall happiness, then it might be justifiable to sacrifice the happiness of a few individuals for the greater good of the majority. For example, consequentialists might justify the use of coercive means such as torture in order to extract information that could prevent a terrorist attack. Critics argue that this is a violation of individual rights and a failure in consequentialism to protect minority groups or individuals who might be harmed by the majority’s pursuit of happiness.

3. Difficulty in Predicting Outcomes

Lastly, critics point out that it can be difficult for consequentialism to predict the real outcomes of an action, not to mention how much happiness or suffering will be produced by those outcomes. This makes it challenging to apply consequentialism in real-world situations, where there are often competing interests and unpredictable outcomes.


Despite these criticisms, consequentialism remains an influential moral theory that continues to shape the way we think about ethics. In fact, many modern moral theories, such as virtue ethics and care ethics, incorporate elements of consequentialism while also addressing some of its criticisms and limitations.

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