THESIS 5 - CONSEQUENTIALISM

Consequentialism is an ethical theory that determines which is morally right or good of

an action by its existing consequences. The acts would be ethical based on the good
consequences, effects or outcomes. In this theory, an evil action may be morally be
justifiable as long as the end comes with good effects. Also, in this ethical theory, it is
not always morally justifiable to do the good thing.

Utilitarianism is a manifestation of consequentialism. its proponents are Jeremy

Bentham and John Stuart Mill. It originated from the Latin word utilis which means
useful. with regards to this, in utilitarianism, what is useful is considered as a good
action. In this ethical theory, an action is determined whether good or bad depending on
the goodness and badness of its cosequences. Furthermore, it follows the greatest
happiness principle which states that an action is good insofar as it produce s the
gratest happiness for the greatest number of people and bad insofar as it produces
more harm than benefit for the greatest number of individuals . In view of this principle,
we should choose the action that produces the most benefits and the one and that
produces less pain or unhappiness. For instance, a police officer killed a terrorist to
prevent him from harming the majority of the people in the vicinity. This action made by
the police officer is considered right it produces the most benefif for the majority of the
people.The model of utilitarianism is the benevolent spectator who kindly watches over
the wefare or happiness of all concerned without taking a self serving active part in the
process.

Aside from Utilitarianism, Pragmatism is also under the broad topic of

Consequentialism. This theory holds that the true and valid form of knowledge is one
that is practical or produces good results, workable or can be put to work, can be
worked out, and works, beneficial and useful in attaining good results. In this principle, it
focuses on the practicality of a person. Like for example, a college student buys a
laptop for it is a need in school. This act is considered practical, but when a pulubi is
the one who buy a laptop, the practicality of the action is not present. Thus is how the
view of a Pragmatist is that the practicality of an action can be distinguished by
considering the status or of an individual and if a certain thing is really a necessity or
not.