PHILOSOPHY - Ethics: Consequentialism [HD]

Summary

Julia Driver from Washington University in St. Louis introduces consequentialism, a normative ethical theory where the moral worth of actions is determined by their outcomes. She explains variations like evaluating character traits or rules' consequences. Utilitarianism, a form of consequentialism, is highlighted, advocating for actions that maximize pleasure. Driver discusses the theory's demanding nature, prompting some consequentialists to adopt 'satisficing consequentialism' instead of maximizing good. The video contrasts consequentialism with other moral theories that deem consequences less central to moral quality.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Julia Driver introduces consequentialism as a normative ethical theory.
• 🔍 Consequentialism evaluates the morality of actions based solely on their consequences.
• 🌟 The theory has variations, such as evaluating character traits or rules that prescribe actions.
• 📚 Traditional consequentialism includes an account of what is good and how to approach it.
• 🌈 Hedonistic act utilitarianism is highlighted as a well-known form of consequentialism, focusing on maximizing pleasure.
• 🩺 An example scenario involving a doctor, Martha, choosing between saving one or multiple patients illustrates utilitarian decision-making.
• 🤔 Consequentialism is contrasted with theories that consider consequences irrelevant or only partly relevant to moral quality.
• 🤝 The importance of keeping promises, even when they do not promote the good, challenges the consequentialist view.
• 💸 Maximizing forms of consequentialism are criticized for being overly demanding on individuals' actions.
• 🍩 The 'bagel vs. toast' example illustrates how ordinary actions can be seen as wrong under a maximizing consequentialist perspective.
• 🛑 Satisficing consequentialism is presented as an alternative that suggests actions need only produce enough good, rather than maximize it.

Q & A

What is consequentialism?

Consequentialism is a type of normative ethical theory that holds the moral quality of an action is determined entirely by its consequences.

What are the two parts of traditional consequentialist theories of moral evaluation?

The two parts are an account of what is good and an account of how to approach the good, which underlies the attribution of deontic properties to actions.

What is the most well-known version of consequentialism mentioned in the script?

The most well-known version of consequentialism mentioned is hedonistic act utilitarianism, which holds that the right action is the one that maximizes pleasure.

What does hedonism, as described in the script, assert as the one intrinsic good?

Hedonism, as described in the script, asserts that pleasure is the one intrinsic good.

In the example given, what should Dr. Martha do according to utilitarianism?

According to utilitarianism, Dr. Martha should use the medicine to save five people rather than just one, as this action has the best overall consequences in terms of producing pleasure.

How does consequentialism contrast with other theories of moral evaluation?

Consequentialism contrasts with other moral theories by asserting that consequences are either not relevant or only partly relevant in determining the moral quality of actions, whereas consequentialism holds that consequences are the sole determinant.

What is the criticism against consequentialism that it reduces the moral quality of an action to the goodness of its consequences?

The criticism is that consequentialism may overlook other moral considerations, such as the intrinsic value of keeping a promise, by focusing solely on the consequences of actions.

Why are maximizing forms of consequentialism considered overly demanding?

Maximizing forms of consequentialism are considered overly demanding because they imply that any action that does not produce the most good is wrong, which can lead to the conclusion that many ordinary actions are morally wrong.

What is 'satisficing consequentialism' and how does it differ from maximizing consequentialism?

Satisficing consequentialism is a view that the right action is not necessarily the one that maximizes the good but rather the one that produces enough good. It differs from maximizing consequentialism by not requiring the maximization of good but rather a sufficient level of good.

What is the rational requirement that seems to be challenged by satisficing consequentialism?

Satisficing consequentialism challenges the rational requirement that more good is always better than less, by suggesting that it is sufficient to do what is good enough rather than always striving for the maximum good.

What is the guiding idea behind consequentialism as described in the script?

The guiding idea behind consequentialism is that the point of morality is to make the world a better place by focusing on the consequences of actions.