Difference between revisions of "Consequentialism"
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− | + | '''Consequentialism''' is an array of ethical theories which hold that the goodness or rightness of an action is to be measured by its outcomes. One can identify two current prominent strands on contemporary ethics: consequentialism and deontologicalism. The consequentialist ethics define the morality or goodness of an action based solely upon its outcomes; the moral standards are seen as means to the desired consequences. The deontological perspective measure the morality of an action by how much it complies to given rules and moral precepts, that must be followed above all else. | |
+ | |||
+ | The consequentialist analysis can take the form of a [[utility function]], where the [[expected utility]] of an action is determined by the sum of the [[utility]] of each of its possible consequences, individually weighted by their respective probability of occurrence. Therefore, the correct action is always the one which maximizes o total value of positive consequences, even if it violates some established moral rule. Consequentialism is based on a cost and benefits analysis and measure goodness by calculating the total expected good. In this manner, opposing to deontological theories, there is no action good in itself or bad in itself, they have to be judged by its results. | ||
+ | |||
+ | One common tool for detecting a person way of thinking about morality is the use of moral dilemmas, in special the trolley’s problems. Those problems have generated a vast array of moral dilemmas of hard resolution and justification. They usually follow a general schema: “Person A can take an action which will benefit a great number of people, but that also violates moral rule X or person’s B individual rights. What should person A do?” Taking the action reveals a consequentialist thinking, whereas holding to the moral rule reveals a deontological thinking. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Recommended reading== | ||
+ | *[http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2011/entries/consequentialism/ Consequentialism entry on Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy] | ||
+ | *[http://people.howstuffworks.com/trolley-problem.htm Description and discussion about trolley problems] | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Blog Posts== | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==References== | ||
+ | *{{cite book | ||
+ | |author= Jeremy Bentham | ||
+ | |year=1907 | ||
+ | |title= An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation | ||
+ | |publisher= Library of Economics and Liberty }} | ||
+ | *{{cite book | ||
+ | |author= Perter Fishburn | ||
+ | |year=1970 | ||
+ | |title= Utility Theory for Decision Making | ||
+ | |publisher= Huntington, NY }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | *{{Cite journal | ||
+ | |title= Consequentialism | ||
+ | |author= Walter Sinnot-Armstrong | ||
+ | |journal= The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Winter 2011 Edition) | ||
+ | |date=2011 | ||
+ | |url= http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2011/entries/consequentialism/ | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | *{{Cite journal | ||
+ | |title= Killing, Letting Die, and the Trolley Problem | ||
+ | |author= Judith Jarvis Thonson | ||
+ | |journal= The Monist | ||
+ | |volume=59 | ||
+ | |page=204-217 | ||
+ | |date=1975 | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
==Blog posts== | ==Blog posts== | ||
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*[http://lesswrong.com/lw/778/consequentialism_need_not_be_nearsighted/ Consequentialism Need Not Be Shortsighted] by [[orthonormal]] | *[http://lesswrong.com/lw/778/consequentialism_need_not_be_nearsighted/ Consequentialism Need Not Be Shortsighted] by [[orthonormal]] | ||
− | == | + | ==Recommended reading== |
− | + | *[http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2011/entries/consequentialism/ Consequentialism entry on Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy] | |
− | *[http:// | + | *[http://people.howstuffworks.com/trolley-problem.htm Description and discussion about trolley problems] |
− | *[http:// | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Line 22: | Line 60: | ||
*[[Shut up and multiply]] | *[[Shut up and multiply]] | ||
*[[Hedons]], [[utils]], [[fuzzies]] | *[[Hedons]], [[utils]], [[fuzzies]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==References== | ||
+ | *{{cite book | ||
+ | |author= Jeremy Bentham | ||
+ | |year=1907 | ||
+ | |title= An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation | ||
+ | |publisher= Library of Economics and Liberty }} | ||
+ | *{{cite book | ||
+ | |author= Perter Fishburn | ||
+ | |year=1970 | ||
+ | |title= Utility Theory for Decision Making | ||
+ | |publisher= Huntington, NY }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | *{{Cite journal | ||
+ | |title= Consequentialism | ||
+ | |author= Walter Sinnot-Armstrong | ||
+ | |journal= The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Winter 2011 Edition) | ||
+ | |date=2011 | ||
+ | |url= http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2011/entries/consequentialism/ | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | *{{Cite journal | ||
+ | |title= Killing, Letting Die, and the Trolley Problem | ||
+ | |author= Judith Jarvis Thonson | ||
+ | |journal= The Monist | ||
+ | |volume=59 | ||
+ | |page=204-217 | ||
+ | |date=1975 | ||
+ | }} | ||
[[Category:Philosophy]] | [[Category:Philosophy]] | ||
[[Category:Positions]] | [[Category:Positions]] | ||
[[Category:Jargon]] | [[Category:Jargon]] |
Revision as of 04:06, 31 August 2012
Consequentialism is an array of ethical theories which hold that the goodness or rightness of an action is to be measured by its outcomes. One can identify two current prominent strands on contemporary ethics: consequentialism and deontologicalism. The consequentialist ethics define the morality or goodness of an action based solely upon its outcomes; the moral standards are seen as means to the desired consequences. The deontological perspective measure the morality of an action by how much it complies to given rules and moral precepts, that must be followed above all else.
The consequentialist analysis can take the form of a utility function, where the expected utility of an action is determined by the sum of the utility of each of its possible consequences, individually weighted by their respective probability of occurrence. Therefore, the correct action is always the one which maximizes o total value of positive consequences, even if it violates some established moral rule. Consequentialism is based on a cost and benefits analysis and measure goodness by calculating the total expected good. In this manner, opposing to deontological theories, there is no action good in itself or bad in itself, they have to be judged by its results.
One common tool for detecting a person way of thinking about morality is the use of moral dilemmas, in special the trolley’s problems. Those problems have generated a vast array of moral dilemmas of hard resolution and justification. They usually follow a general schema: “Person A can take an action which will benefit a great number of people, but that also violates moral rule X or person’s B individual rights. What should person A do?” Taking the action reveals a consequentialist thinking, whereas holding to the moral rule reveals a deontological thinking.
Contents
Recommended reading
- Consequentialism entry on Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
- Description and discussion about trolley problems
Blog Posts
References
- Jeremy Bentham (1907). An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation. Library of Economics and Liberty.
- Perter Fishburn (1970). Utility Theory for Decision Making. Huntington, NY.
- Walter Sinnot-Armstrong (2011). "Consequentialism". The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Winter 2011 Edition). http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2011/entries/consequentialism/.
- Judith Jarvis Thonson (1975). "Killing, Letting Die, and the Trolley Problem". The Monist 59: 204-217.
Blog posts
- Ends Don't Justify Means (Among Humans)
- Torture vs. Dust Specks
- Deontology for Consequentialists by Alicorn
- Virtue Ethics for Consequentialists by Will Newsome
- Consequentialism Need Not Be Shortsighted by orthonormal
Recommended reading
- Consequentialism entry on Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
- Description and discussion about trolley problems
See also
- Utilitarianism, expected utility
- Metaethics sequence
- Ethical injunction
- Shut up and multiply
- Hedons, utils, fuzzies
References
- Jeremy Bentham (1907). An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation. Library of Economics and Liberty.
- Perter Fishburn (1970). Utility Theory for Decision Making. Huntington, NY.
- Walter Sinnot-Armstrong (2011). "Consequentialism". The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Winter 2011 Edition). http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2011/entries/consequentialism/.
- Judith Jarvis Thonson (1975). "Killing, Letting Die, and the Trolley Problem". The Monist 59: 204-217.