Moral Theories - Consequentialism

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Consequentialism
The End Justifies the Means

In consequentialism, the consequence of an action justifies the moral acceptability of the means taken to reach that end. The results of actions outweigh any other consideration; in other words, the end justifies the means. Jeremy Bentham was an early and influential advocate of utilitarianism, the dominant consequentialist position. A utilitarian believes in the greatest happiness for the greatest number. The more people who benefit from a particular action, the greater its good.

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[johnnycon]

Results in the tyranny of the majority.

[tauseef32]

Does the individual step taken to achieve a particular goal, give rise to that single consequence alone? Or can it create other undesired and unforseen consequences also?

[Bremerxxxx]

@tauseef32

Interesting questions. I would think that if more than one person takes similar steps to achieve a certain end, there will probably be some indirect or unforeseen consequences, which may go about unnoticed, or make the people aware of the consequences adapt or alter their previous plans or goals.

[Abignalessuccessor]

We're all consiquentialists when the shit hits the fan, yet change our minds when were not totally screwed.

Talk about hypocracy

[lukebeevers93]

"The end cannot justify the means for the simple rason the means deployed determine the ends achieved"

[BrytaPlanka]

Preference Utilitarianism seems pretty good

[vaguelyhumanoid]

@johnnycon Egoism and consequentialist libertarianism don't.

[thabookwyrm]

@cpmc1

I'm no expert, but I SUPPOSE in Consequentialism it would be morally correct to kill the three to same the one.

[cpmc1]

@thabookwyrm

Yeah, I guess. Whate exactly is the difference? I mean, everyone seems to talk about utilitarianism and consequentialism as two completely different philosophys, but the way you explained it, they could be co-existing. Theres a problem here...

[thabookwyrm]

@cpmc1

I could see that. I probably could have used a better example, but it gets the point across, does it not?

[cpmc1]

@thabookwyrm

Which sounds alot like utilitarianism.

[thabookwyrm]

@cpmc1

the end is the result of your actions. i.e. if I kill a guy to save three other guys, the means are killing the first dude, and the end is that the other three get to live