Consequentialism

Summary

This script explores consequentialism, an ethical theory focused on the outcomes of actions, with utilitarianism as its most famous form. Jeremy Bentham advocated maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain, while John Stuart Mill refined this by emphasizing long-term benefits and suggesting rule-based decisions. Mill believed that some valuable outcomes require suffering, such as mastering a skill or raising a family. The script also discusses criticism of consequentialism, which can sometimes justify harmful behavior for the greater good, and poses reflective questions about decision-making in business ethics.

Takeaways

• 😊 Consequentialism focuses on the outcomes of decisions to determine what is right or wrong.
• 😃 The best actions, according to consequentialism, are those that produce the best results or outcomes.
• 📜 Consequentialism's most famous modern version is utilitarianism, founded by Jeremy Bentham.
• 👍 Bentham believed that actions should maximize pleasure and minimize pain.
• 🧠 Bentham argued that ethical decisions could be calculated by measuring pleasure versus pain.
• 📈 John Stuart Mill, a student of Bentham, suggested that some important life goals may require enduring suffering.
• ⚖️ Mill shifted the focus from pleasure and pain to harms and benefits, calling his approach rule utilitarianism.
• 📏 Mill advocated for creating rules based on long-term outcomes instead of evaluating every individual action.
• 🚨 Consequentialism is often criticized for potentially justifying harmful behaviors if they benefit a large group.
• ❓ Ethical dilemmas can arise when balancing competing values, such as raising staff pay versus lowering client fees.

Q & A

What is consequentialism?

Consequentialism is an ethical school of thought that suggests the best actions are those that produce the best results, focusing on the outcomes of decisions rather than intentions or principles.

How does consequentialism approach decision-making?

Consequentialism focuses on the consequences of decisions, aiming to increase overall happiness and reduce suffering by evaluating the outcomes of actions.

Who is considered the founder of utilitarianism, and what was his central idea?

Jeremy Bentham is considered the founder of utilitarianism. His central idea was that pleasure is good, and pain is bad, so ethical actions should maximize pleasure and minimize pain.

How did John Stuart Mill's views differ from Jeremy Bentham's utilitarianism?

Mill disagreed with Bentham on two key points: he believed some important life goals require suffering and that ethical decisions should be based on harms and benefits rather than just pleasure and pain. He also proposed 'rule utilitarianism,' suggesting that we should create long-term rules for decision-making instead of evaluating each decision individually.

What is rule utilitarianism?

Rule utilitarianism is John Stuart Mill’s approach, which suggests that instead of evaluating the consequences of every single action, we should establish rules based on what will lead to the best outcomes in the long run.

What is one common criticism of consequentialism?

A common criticism of consequentialism is that it can justify harmful behaviors, such as oppression or exploitation, as long as the overall outcome benefits a large enough group of people.

Why can consequentialism be difficult to apply in practice?

Consequentialism can be difficult to apply because it can be hard to measure and compare competing values, such as whether to prioritize staff raises or lower fees for clients in a business setting.

Why did Mill suggest focusing on rules rather than individual actions?

Mill suggested focusing on rules because weighing the pros and cons of every single decision can be exhausting, especially given the number of decisions people make daily. By creating long-term rules, decisions can be made more efficiently.

How does consequentialism handle selfishness in ethical decisions?

Consequentialism, especially Bentham's version, removes selfishness by focusing on the overall pleasure and pain that actions generate, rather than individual preferences or outcomes.

What might be an example of rule utilitarianism in a business context?

In a business context, rule utilitarianism might involve creating a general policy for managing staff expenses, designed to achieve the best outcomes for the business in the long run, rather than addressing every issue on a case-by-case basis.