Definition
Consequentialist Ethics (or consequentialism) is a normative ethical framework which holds that the morality of an action is determined solely by its resulting consequences or outcomes.
Why It Matters
Consequentialism focuses directly on the real-world impact of actions on conscious experiences. It encourages decision-makers to evaluate actions based on the actual good or harm they produce, ensuring that ethical choices are guided by their practical outcomes rather than adherence to abstract rules that might lead to avoidable suffering.
Core Concepts
- Outcome-Based Evaluation: The moral rightness of an act depends entirely on the goodness of its consequences.
- Utility Maximization: In utilitarian forms of consequentialism (like those of Bentham and Mill), the goal is to produce the greatest amount of good (utility/happiness) for the greatest number of people.
- Instrumental Rules: Rules are seen as useful rules of thumb that generally lead to good outcomes, rather than absolute duties that can never be violated.
- Responsibility for Outcomes: Holds individuals responsible for the foreseeable consequences of both their actions and their inaction.