Consequentialism

Moral Theory
 What is a moral theory?
It basically states that
there are a series of
universal and
immutable moral
principles, which in
moral terms we would
call moral absolutism.
What is consequentialism?

It constitutes a theory related to the

correction of an action determined by
the goodness in the consequences.

This term was created and added by

Elizabeth Anscombe in her famous
article "Modern Moral Philosophy"
(1958).
Basis of Consequentialism

Consequentialism is a
position based on the
consequences of actions to
judge whether these actions
are good or bad.
 RULES

A behavior is good, if the effects or

consequences it has are good.

A behavior is bad, if the effects or

consequences it has are bad.
 Wrong Reasoning

Try to morally evaluate an

act for its consequences,
good or bad. That is, it
does not avoid the problem
of defining the good and
the bad before the action.
Consequentialist
Theory
Utilitarianism
 Any version of
utilitarianism is
consequentialist, but
not all consequentialist
positions are
utilitarian.
 PHILOSOPHER JEREMY
BENTHAM (1748-1832)

He considered that
every moral
obligation is
ultimately derived
from the principle of
utility.
John Stuart Mill
(1806-1873)
He qualified and
developed the
utilitarian theory.
We can define consequentialism in the
following terms:

C1: An action A is correct if among the

actions that the agent can carry out there is
no action that generates a superior
difference between its good and bad
consequences.
C2: An action A is mandatory if the rest of
the actions that the agent can carry out
generate a lower difference between its
good and bad consequences.
Valuable Contributions

Emphasize the notion of prudence, the

virtue of anticipating the consequences of
specific acts in specific situations. Human
actions have more effects than can be
anticipated and it is wise to point it out.
 Valuable Contributions

Its weaknesses remind us of the

Emphasize a position typical of
position contrary to
traditional morality, to
consequentialism which is called
accumulate lessons from the
deontological and which argues
past previous experiences that
that the goodness or evil of an
confirm the goodness of certain
act is intrinsic to the act itself,
actions and the evil of others.
regardless of the effects it has.
 MAIN ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
OF CONSEQUENTIALISM

Moral theory
invokes values ​to
be encouraged or
respected.
ARGUMENTS AGAINST
CONSEQUENTIALISM
First Argument

Consequentialism can
lead us to consider an
action that carries
serious consequences
to innocent beings as
the right action.
Second Argument

Consequentialism sometimes
goes against our intuitions to
the extent that the criteria it
considers to establish the
correctness and obligatory
nature of an action only takes
into account the future that
opens as a consequence of the
action.
Third Argument
Consequentialism is
incompatible with
our lives when
judging us when
making a decision
against our personal
desires.
 Deodonotlogy and
Consequentialist
"There are certain duties that must be fulfilled
beyond the consequences."

"The consequences are the principle of duties."

Both deontology and consequentialism prefer to do

the right thing as much as possible.
 Deodonotlogy and
Consequentialist
Deodonotlogy
Deontology argues that we must act in
a certain way because doing so is
good (and not because doing so
causes it better).
It gives the value to the action taken
Consequentialist
In consequentialism, the right is
defined as the maximization of the
good, and in turn the latter is defined
independently of the Right
It gives the value to the goal
achieved.
 Difficulties of
Consequentialism

Knowledge and determination of the

consequences.

Intention of the agent and intentionality

of the action.

The end does not justify the means.

 Versions of
consequentialism
Consequentialism
of norm: Criteria
are established and a
decision is classified
as correct if it fits this
framework.
 Versions of
consequentialism

Neoconsecuenationalism:
Judges good and evil also
because of common
wellbeing, but adds other
influential factors in this
decision.
 Versions of
consequentialism
“My daughter may die Utilitarianism:
drowned, it is not irrelevant
or if it is irrelevant that it is Yes, it is
precisely I who saves her.” irrelevant.

Neoconsecuenationalism:
No, it is not Irrelevant
Neoconsequentialism: In the
balance of consequences now
comes the discomfort caused in
others and the identity of the agent.
In 1991 McNaughton and Rawling called
this the "consequentialist aspirator": the
possibility of consequentialism to
"expand" all that is necessary in the
criticized aspects.
Thanks to this, neoconsequentialism
more faithfully represents the shadows of
moral life. "The correct thing does not
always coincide with the optimum, and
this is something that wide
consequentialism can capture"
THANKS