What is Moral Consequentialist in Philosophy
Consequentialist morality is an ethical theory that focuses on the consequences of actions to determine their morality. From this perspective, the moral value of an action is determined by the result it produces, that is, whether the consequences are considered good or bad. This ethical approach is widely discussed and debated in philosophy, and has its roots in different schools of thought, such as utilitarianism and consequentialism.
Utilitarianism and Consequentialist Morality
Utilitarianism is one of the philosophical currents that underlies consequentialist morality. This ethical theory, developed by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, argues that the morality of an action is determined by its result in maximizing happiness or general well-being. According to utilitarianism, an action is morally right if it produces the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
A practical example of consequentialist morality based on utilitarianism would be the following: imagine that a doctor has the option of saving the life of one elderly patient or five young patients. According to utilitarianism, the doctor should choose to save the five young patients as this would result in greater overall well-being as more lives would be saved.
Consequentialism and the Ethics of Consequences
Consequentialism is another philosophical current that supports consequentialist morality. This ethical approach emphasizes that the morality of an action must be evaluated based on its consequences, regardless of the intentions of the moral agent. In other words, the focus is on the objective and measurable consequences of the action, and not on the intentions or reasons behind it.
An example of consequentialist morality based on consequentialism would be the following: suppose a person robs a store to feed his hungry family. Although the act of stealing is generally considered immoral, consequentialism argues that if the consequences of stealing result in alleviating the family's hunger, the action can be considered morally right.
Principles of Consequentialist Morals
Consequentialist morality is based on some fundamental principles that guide the evaluation of the consequences of actions. These principles include:
1. Maximizing well-being
Consequentialist morality seeks to maximize general well-being or happiness. This means that actions that result in the greatest well-being for the greatest number of people are considered morally right.
2. Assessment of consequences
The evaluation of consequences is a central aspect of consequentialist morality. The consequences of an action are analyzed to determine its morality, regardless of the intentions or motives behind it.
3. Calculation of consequences
To determine the morality of an action, it is necessary to calculate the expected consequences. This may involve considering factors such as the number of people affected, the degree of happiness generated and the long-term effects.
Criticisms of Consequentialist Morality
Consequentialist morality is not exempt from criticism and controversy in philosophy. Some of the main points of criticism include:
1. Ignoring individual rights
A common criticism of consequentialist morality is that it can ignore individual rights in the name of general well-being. For example, if an action that violates the rights of a minority results in greater happiness for the majority, consequentialism would argue that this action is morally right.
2. Difficulty in assessing consequences
Assessing the consequences of an action can be a complex challenge. It is not always easy to predict all the consequences of an action, especially in the long term. Additionally, different people may have different perspectives on what is considered a positive or negative consequence.
3. Lack of consideration for intentions
Consequentialist morality tends to focus exclusively on the consequences of actions, leaving aside the intentions or reasons behind them. This can lead to situations where a morally correct action is performed with bad intentions, which can be problematic for some people.
Conclusion
Consequentialist morality is an ethical theory that focuses on the consequences of actions to determine their morality. It is based on philosophical currents such as utilitarianism and consequentialism, and seeks to maximize general well-being or happiness. However, this ethical approach is not free from criticism, such as ignorance of individual rights and difficulty in evaluating consequences. It is important to consider these criticisms when discussing and debating consequentialist morality in philosophy.
