An Introduction to Consequential and Deontological Theories of Ethics

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

2. An Overview of Ethical Theories

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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?

6. 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…

7. An Overview of Ethical Theories

8. 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

9. 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?

10. Examples / Practice! Guilty / Innocent dilemma Star Trek dilemma Batman dilemma