"The consequences of one's conduct are the ultimate basis for judgement about the rightness or wrongness of that conduct."
An analysis of actions in terms of their outcomes, and what kinds of outcomes are desirable.
Moral philosophy: Consequentialism is a moral philosophy that is concerned with the consequences of actions.
Utilitarianism: Utilitarianism is a specific form of consequentialism that suggests that the right action is the one that maximizes overall happiness for the greatest number of people.
Deontological ethics: Deontological ethics is a moral philosophy that is concerned with the duty or obligation to follow certain rules or principles.
Virtue ethics: Virtue ethics is a moral philosophy that focuses on virtues or personal characteristics that are deemed morally good.
Teleology: Teleology is the study of purpose or end goals.
Hedonism: Hedonism is a philosophy that suggests pleasure or happiness is the ultimate goal in life.
Eudaemonia: Eudaemonia is a Greek term that refers to a state of flourishing or well-being.
Non-consequentialist objections: These are objections that are raised against consequentialism based on its focus on consequences rather than duties, virtues or other aspects of morality.
Criticisms of utilitarianism: These are criticisms that are specific to utilitarianism as a form of consequentialism.
Ethical decision-making: Ethical decision-making is a process by which people make decisions that are consistent with their ethical beliefs.
Applied consequentialism: This is the application of consequentialist principles to specific moral dilemmas, such as environmental ethics, business ethics, or medical ethics.
Consequentialist theorists: Theorists such as Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill, and Henry Sidgwick are important figures in consequentialist ethics.
Consequentialist thought experiments: Thought experiments such as the trolley problem and its variations provide a way of exploring consequentialist ethics in action.
Consequentialism in the real world: Consequentialist ethics can provide a framework for decision-making in areas such as politics, economics, and environmental policy.
Egoistic Consequentialism: This type of consequentialism focuses on the consequences for the individual performing the action. It asserts that actions should be taken that maximize the individual's happiness or self-interest.
Utilitarianism: This type of consequentialism asserts that the morally right action is the one that maximizes overall collective happiness or pleasure in society. It focuses on the net benefits to society, not just the happiness of individuals.
Negative Utilitarianism: This type of consequentialism asserts that the morally right action is the one that minimizes suffering or unhappiness, rather than simply maximizing happiness.
Rule Utilitarianism: This type of consequentialism asserts that it is not necessarily the consequence of a specific action that matters but the rule that governs that action. It upholds the rule that brings about the greatest overall happiness for society rather than considering the consequences of each individual action.
Act Utilitarianism: This type of consequentialism asserts that each individual action should be evaluated for its overall consequence, and the morally right action is the one that produces the greatest net benefit.
Hedonistic Utilitarianism: This type of consequentialism focuses on the pleasures and pains of individuals, and asserts that the morally right action is the one that maximizes pleasure and minimizes pain.
Ideal Utilitarianism: This type of consequentialism asserts that the morally right action is the one that moves towards the realization of an ideal society. It focuses on the long-term consequences of actions, and seeks to improve society overall.
Perfectionism: This type of consequentialism asserts that the morally right action is the one that moves individuals and society towards a state of perfection or excellence. It emphasizes the cultivation of virtues and values that lead to the development of a better society.
Prioritarianism: This type of consequentialism asserts that the morally right action is the one that benefits the worst off members of society, before considering the benefits to others.
Consequential Egalitarianism: This type of consequentialism asserts that the morally right action is the one that produces the most equal distribution of welfare or resources in society.
"A morally right act is one that will produce a good outcome."
"Consequentialism falls under the broader category of teleological ethics, a group of views which claim that the moral value of any act consists in its tendency to produce things of intrinsic value."
"An act is right if and only if the act will produce, will probably produce, or is intended to produce, a greater balance of good over evil than any available alternative."
"Different consequentialist theories differ in how they define moral goods, with chief candidates including pleasure, the absence of pain, the satisfaction of one's preferences, and broader notions of the 'general good'."
"Deontology derives the rightness or wrongness of one's conduct from the character of the behaviour itself, rather than the outcomes of the conduct."
"Virtue ethics focuses on the character of the agent rather than on the nature or consequences of the act (or omission) itself."
"Pragmatic ethics treats morality like science: advancing collectively as a society over the course of many lifetimes, such that any moral criterion is subject to revision."
"Some argue that consequentialist theories and deontological theories are not necessarily mutually exclusive."
"Human rights can only be justified with reference to the consequences of having those rights."
"Nozick argues for a theory that is mostly consequentialist but incorporates inviolable 'side-constraints' which restrict the sort of actions agents are permitted to do."
"Rule consequentialism, Kantian deontology, and contractualism would all end up prescribing the same behavior."
"Consequentialism and deontological ethics are the main categories mentioned."
"Chief candidates including pleasure, the absence of pain, the satisfaction of one's preferences, and broader notions of the 'general good'."
"Teleological ethics claim that the moral value of any act consists in its tendency to produce things of intrinsic value."
"Consequentialists hold that an act is right if it will produce a greater balance of good over evil than any available alternative."
"Deontology derives the rightness or wrongness of one's conduct from the character of the behavior itself."
"Virtue ethics focuses on the character of the agent, rather than on the nature or consequences of the act itself."
"Pragmatic ethics treats morality like science, advancing collectively as a society over the course of many lifetimes."
"Human rights can only be justified with reference to the consequences of having those rights."