An Introduction to Consequential and Deontological

Theories of Ethics

LHS – Current Issues

An Overview of Ethical Theories

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

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

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?

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…

An Overview of Ethical Theories

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

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?

Examples / Practice!

Guilty / Innocent dilemma

Star Trek dilemma

Batman dilemma