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Consequentialism is the ethical theory that people should choose their actions based on the outcomes they expect will result. How to judge outcomes is not specified, but there are many typesParticular frameworks of consequentialism that specify how outcomes should be judged. For example, utilitarianism holds that the best outcome is that which maximizes the total welfare of all people, and ethical egoism holds that the best outcome is that which maximizes their own personal interests. Consequentialism is one of three main strands of ethical thought, along with deontology, which holds that people should choose actions which conform to a prescribed listbased on the merit of moral rules,the act itself, and virtue ethics, which holds that people should be judged by how virtuous they are, insteadas an assessment of by what actions they take.their entire history of actions.
Consequentialism is a group of moral systemsthe ethical theory that people should choose their actions based on the goodnessoutcomes they expect will result. How to judge outcomes is not specified, but there are many types of consequentialism that specify how outcomes rather thanshould be judged. For example, utilitarianism holds that the followingbest outcome is that which maximizes the total welfare of rules orall people, and ethical egoism holds that the best outcome is that which maximizes their own personal virtues. The most common consequentialist systeminterests. Consequentialism is utilitarianism,one of three main strands of ethical thought, along with deontology, which seeksholds that people should choose actions which conform to maximize utility across all relevant agents.a prescribed list of moral rules, and virtue ethics, which holds that people should be judged by how virtuous they are, instead of by what actions they take.
See also:Related: Ethics & Morality
Compare:, Deontology, Moral Uncertainty, Utilitarianism
Consequentialism is often associated with maximizing the expected value of a utility function. However, it has been argued that consequentialism is not the same thing as having a utility function because it is possible to evaluate actions based on their consequences without obeying the von Neuman-Morgenstern axioms necessary for having a utility function, and because utility functions can also be used to implement moral theories similar to deontology.
Consequentialism is the ethical theory that people should choose their actionsa group of moral systems based on the goodness of outcomes they expect will result. Howrather than the following of rules or personal virtues.
The most common consequentialist system is utilitarianism, which seeks to judge outcomes is not specified, but there are many types of consequentialism that specify how outcomes should be judged. For example,maximize utilitarianismutility holds that the best outcome is that which maximizes the total welfare ofacross all people, and ethical egoism holds that the best outcome is that which maximizes their own personal interests. Consequentialism is one of three main strands of ethical thought, along with deontology, which holds that people should choose actions which conform to a prescribed list of moral rules, and virtue ethics, which holds that people should be judged by how virtuous they are, instead of by what actions they take.relevant agents.
Consequentialism is often associated with maximizing theSee also: expected valueEthics & Morality of a utility function. However, it has been argued that consequentialism is not the same thing as having a utility function because it is possible to evaluate actions based on their consequences without obeying the von Neuman-Morgenstern axioms necessary for having a utility function, and because utility functions can also be used to implement moral theories similar to deontology.
Compare: Deontology for Consequentialists by Alicorn
Consequentialism is the ethical theory that people should choose their actions based on the action thatoutcomes they expect will result in the best outcome.result. How to judge outcomes is not specified, but there are many types of consequentialism that specify how outcomes should be judged. For example, utilitarianism holds that the best outcome is that which maximizes the total welfare of all people, and ethical egoism holds that the best outcome is that which maximizes their own personal interests. Consequentialism is one of three main strands of ethical thought, along with deontology, which holds that people should choose actions which conform to a prescribed list of moral rules, and virtue ethics, which holds that people should be judged by how virtuous they are, instead of by what actions they take.
Consequentialism is an arraythe ethical theory that people should choose the action that will result in the best outcome. How to judge outcomes is not specified, but there are many types of ethical theories which holdconsequentialism that specify how outcomes should be judged. For example, utilitarianism holds that the goodness or rightness of an actionbest outcome is to be measured bythat which maximizes the sumtotal welfare of all its outcomes. Itpeople, and ethical egoism holds that the best outcome is that which maximizes their own personal interests. Consequentialism is one of the two most majorthree main strands of contemporary ethics. The other,ethical thought, along with deontology, measureswhich holds that people should choose actions which conform to a prescribed list of moral rules, and virtue ethics, which holds that people should be judged by how virtuous they are, instead of by what actions they take.
Consequentialism is often associated with maximizing the morality of an action by its compliance to given rules and moral precepts, that must be followed above all else.
The consequentialist analysis can take the formexpected value of a utility function, where the expected utility of an action is determined by the sum of the utility of each of its possible consequences, individually weighted by their respective probability of occurrence. Therefore, the correct action is always the one which maximizes o total value of positive consequences, even if. However, it violates some established moral rule. Consequentialism is based on a cost and benefits analysis and measure goodness by calculating the total expected good. In this manner, opposing to deontological theories, there is no action good in itself or bad in itself, they have to be judged by its results. Note, however,has been argued that consequentialism is not the same thing as having a utility function because it is possible to evaluate actions based on their consequences without obeying the von Neuman-Morgenstern axioms necessary for having a utility function, sinceand because utility functions can also be used to implement moral theories similar to deontology.
Which outcomes are to be considered good or bad is an open question to consequentialism. Hence, one can egoistically value his own well fare in detriment of others and still act according to a consequentialist ethics. Utilitarianism can be seen as instance of consequentialism where one must aim at maximizing the overall good, the happiness and welfare of himself and others.
One common tool for detecting a person way of thinking about morality is the use of moral dilemmas, in special the trolley’s problems. Those problems have generated a vast array of moral dilemmas of hard resolution and justification. They usually follow a general schema: “Person A can take an action which will benefit a great number of people, but that also violates moral rule X or person’s B individual rights. What should person A do?” Taking the action reveals a consequentialist thinking, whereas holding to the moral rule reveals a deontological thinking.