Deontology vs Consequentialism

This video takes a look at a recent discussion between a prominent atheist named thunderf00t and a popular Christian named Ray Comfort on the topic of morality.
In this video I explain the difference between the prominent moral stance of deontology and consequentialism. I then present a couple arguments as to how people may not have to choose between one or the other.

People will disagree about what is moral if they fail to factor in all of the relevant variables. It will be like having the wrong math equation and trying to get the right answer. For a related video that explains another way that moral disagreement can occur, follow this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAKKdvTOF_I

Category:

Education

Tags:

• deontology
• vs
• versus
• consequentialism
• utilitarianism
• ray
• comfort
• banana
• man
• wayofthemaster
• thunderf00t
• thunderfoot
• morality
• ethics
• moral
• atheist
• theist
• christian
• debate
• discussion
• philosophy
• religion
• educational

[shlockofgod]

Damn good video. I can see you worked hard to make things as clear as possible.

[Epydemic2020]

@shlockofgod

Thanks, I didn't think you were a fan of my vids.

[gyntaf]

Thanks dude, fantastic video and very informative. Speaking as a bioscience finalist your vid is clearly presented but with very deep insights. Keep up the good work. Pray tomorrows bioethics exam goes well :) 

[Epydemic2020]

@gyntaf

Thanks :) I actually just enrolled in a bioethics course myself.

[InternetPeacemaker]

Thanks, very informative

[Epydemic2020]

@InternetPeacemaker

I am glad you liked it.

[XionXXXX]

It is Rules and Moral Duty by the Elites, now bow down and obey your masters of the New World Order or get locked up in prisons for the rest of your lives! it's your choice!

[XionXXXX]

Deontology USA!!! screw consequentialism, we all know the USA is going to go broke and collapse as a consequence of our Kantian Justice System locking everyone up in prisons and spending of trillions of dollars wasted on things that do not benefit society as a whole.

See you all when the Government Collapses, and goodluck with your Deontology Rule Bull$hit System!

[ResolutionismTube]

@Epydemic2020

Very interesting. In my mind, I think that it is a much greater crime to kill an innocent civilian compared to a soldier. For example, you can't kidnap a soldier in war, but you can capture one. You capture soldiers, and kidnap civilians--right? So I think for me, if I was put into that situation where I could stop a war if I murder 99 innocent civilians or kill 100 soldiers, I would have to kill the soldiers.

Am I wrong? lol Love this stuff! Thanks for posting this!

[VeryEvilPettingZoo]

(cont)

Though interesting in themselves, my main purpose in mentioning those considerations was to show what morality is ultimately about. It's not about duty or rule following, but rather is about consequences. It's about chosing those actions that manifest and uphold the value we put on sentient life. That such choices are often difficult, and that we've insufficient information and so rely on heuristics that uphold that value in the short term, doesn't change what morality is about.

[VeryEvilPettingZoo]

(cont)

This is why I think things like theft and government corruption are much worse than the actual harm they directly cause. As their frequency grows, it undermines civilization, and creates chain reaction of ever more severe harmful consequences.

Ultimately, LONG term, we can't predict anything. It might be that by avoiding raping, pilliging, and plundering, we're dooming the human race. But that *seems* highly unlikely, and clear harms we're directly avoiding are at least avoided that way