Philosophy Consequentialism Study Cards

Enhance Your Learning with Philosophy - Consequentialism Flash Cards for quick learning



Consequentialism

A moral theory that focuses on the consequences or outcomes of actions, where the rightness or wrongness of an action is determined by its overall outcome.

Utilitarianism

A form of consequentialism that holds that the morally right action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or utility for the greatest number of people.

Hedonism

A type of consequentialism that emphasizes the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain as the ultimate goal of moral action.

Act Consequentialism

A version of consequentialism that focuses on the evaluation of individual actions, determining their moral worth based on the consequences they produce.

Rule Consequentialism

A version of consequentialism that evaluates actions based on the consequences of following certain rules or principles, rather than the consequences of each individual action.

Jeremy Bentham

An influential philosopher and one of the key thinkers in consequentialism, known for his development of utilitarianism as a moral theory.

John Stuart Mill

A philosopher who further developed utilitarianism, emphasizing the importance of higher pleasures and the role of rule utilitarianism.

Peter Singer

A contemporary philosopher known for his work in applied ethics and his defense of utilitarianism, particularly in relation to animal rights and global poverty.

Rule vs Act Consequentialism

A debate within consequentialism regarding the evaluation of moral actions, with act consequentialism focusing on individual actions and rule consequentialism emphasizing the importance of following certain rules or principles.

Deontological Ethics

A moral theory that emphasizes the inherent rightness or wrongness of actions, regardless of their consequences, in contrast to consequentialism.

Ethical Egoism

A theory that holds that individuals should always act in their own self-interest, even if it may not lead to the greatest overall happiness or utility.

Virtue Ethics

A moral theory that focuses on the development of virtuous character traits and the cultivation of moral virtues, rather than the consequences of actions.

Kantian Ethics

A deontological ethical theory developed by Immanuel Kant, which emphasizes the importance of moral duties and the categorical imperative.

Ethical Relativism

The belief that moral principles are not universally applicable and vary depending on cultural, societal, or individual perspectives.

Euthanasia

The act of intentionally ending a person's life to relieve their suffering, which raises ethical dilemmas and debates within consequentialism.

Capital Punishment

The practice of legally executing individuals convicted of certain crimes, which raises ethical questions regarding the consequences and effectiveness of such punishment.

Environmental Conservation

The protection and preservation of the natural environment, which involves ethical considerations and the application of consequentialist principles.

Corporate Social Responsibility

The concept that businesses have a responsibility to consider the social and environmental impacts of their actions, aligning with consequentialist principles.

Medical Ethics

The branch of ethics that deals with moral issues in healthcare, including the application of consequentialist principles to medical decision-making.

Legal Ethics

The ethical principles and guidelines that govern the conduct of legal professionals, which may involve consequentialist considerations in the pursuit of justice.

Personal Ethics

The individual's own moral principles and values that guide their behavior and decision-making, which can be influenced by consequentialist perspectives.

Ethical Dilemma

A situation in which a person is faced with conflicting moral obligations or choices, often requiring the consideration of consequences in consequentialist ethics.

Moral Responsibility

The concept that individuals are accountable for their actions and the consequences they produce, a key aspect of consequentialist moral theory.

Teleological Ethics

A broader term encompassing consequentialist ethical theories, which focus on the ends or goals of actions rather than the inherent nature of actions.

Ethical Calculus

The process of evaluating the potential consequences of actions in order to determine their moral worth, a central aspect of consequentialist decision-making.

Moral Relativism

The belief that moral judgments are subjective and vary depending on individual or cultural perspectives, contrasting with consequentialist theories.

Consequentialist Critiques

Various criticisms and objections raised against consequentialist moral theories, including issues of justice, individual rights, and the measurement of consequences.

Consequentialism and Personal Happiness

The relationship between consequentialist ethics and personal happiness, exploring whether the pursuit of overall happiness aligns with individual well-being.

Consequentialism and Moral Luck

The concept of moral luck, where the moral worth of an action is influenced by factors beyond an individual's control, raising challenges for consequentialist theories.

Consequentialism and Intentions

The role of intentions in consequentialist ethics, considering whether the consequences of an action are the sole determinant of its moral worth.

Consequentialism and Justice

The relationship between consequentialism and principles of justice, exploring how the distribution of consequences can align with notions of fairness and equality.

Consequentialism and Individual Rights

The tension between consequentialist ethics and the protection of individual rights, considering whether the pursuit of overall happiness can justify violating certain rights.

Consequentialism and Cultural Relativism

The compatibility between consequentialist ethics and cultural relativism, examining whether moral judgments should be based on cultural norms and values.

Consequentialism and Ethical Dilemmas

The application of consequentialist principles to ethical dilemmas, exploring how the evaluation of consequences can guide decision-making in complex moral situations.

Consequentialism and Moral Responsibility

The concept of moral responsibility within consequentialist ethics, considering how individuals are held accountable for the consequences of their actions.

Consequentialism and Personal Autonomy

The relationship between consequentialist ethics and personal autonomy, examining whether the pursuit of overall happiness can restrict individual freedom and choice.

Consequentialism and Ethical Decision-Making

The role of consequentialist principles in ethical decision-making, exploring how the evaluation of consequences can guide individuals in choosing the morally right action.

Consequentialism and Moral Progress

The potential for moral progress within consequentialist ethics, considering how the pursuit of overall happiness can lead to societal improvements and ethical advancements.

Consequentialism and Ethical Relativism

The compatibility between consequentialist ethics and ethical relativism, examining whether moral judgments should be based on individual perspectives and subjective values.

Consequentialism and Environmental Ethics

The application of consequentialist principles to environmental ethics, exploring how the evaluation of environmental consequences can guide ethical decision-making.

Consequentialism and Business Ethics

The application of consequentialist principles to business ethics, considering how the evaluation of business consequences can guide ethical decision-making in the corporate world.

Consequentialism and Medical Ethics

The application of consequentialist principles to medical ethics, exploring how the evaluation of medical consequences can guide ethical decision-making in healthcare.

Consequentialism and Legal Ethics

The application of consequentialist principles to legal ethics, considering how the evaluation of legal consequences can guide ethical decision-making in the legal profession.

Consequentialism and Personal Ethics

The application of consequentialist principles to personal ethics, exploring how the evaluation of personal consequences can guide individual moral decision-making.

Consequentialism and Political Ethics

The application of consequentialist principles to political ethics, considering how the evaluation of political consequences can guide ethical decision-making in governance and policy-making.

Consequentialism and Ethical Leadership

The role of consequentialist principles in ethical leadership, exploring how the evaluation of consequences can guide leaders in making morally responsible decisions.

Consequentialism and Social Justice

The relationship between consequentialism and social justice, examining how the pursuit of overall happiness can align with the promotion of fairness and equality in society.

Consequentialism and Global Ethics

The application of consequentialist principles to global ethics, considering how the evaluation of global consequences can guide ethical decision-making in international relations and global issues.

Consequentialism and Moral Education

The role of consequentialist ethics in moral education, exploring how the evaluation of consequences can be incorporated into teaching ethical values and decision-making skills.

Consequentialism and Personal Development

The potential for personal development within consequentialist ethics, considering how the pursuit of overall happiness can contribute to individual growth and well-being.

Consequentialism and Ethical Decision-Making Models

The integration of consequentialist principles into ethical decision-making models, exploring how the evaluation of consequences can be incorporated into systematic approaches to ethical dilemmas.

Consequentialism and Ethical Codes

The relationship between consequentialist ethics and ethical codes, considering how the evaluation of consequences can inform the development and application of professional codes of conduct.

Consequentialism and Ethical Responsibility

The concept of ethical responsibility within consequentialist ethics, considering how individuals and organizations are accountable for the consequences of their actions and decisions.

Consequentialism and Ethical Decision-Making Frameworks

The utilization of consequentialist principles in ethical decision-making frameworks, exploring how the evaluation of consequences can be integrated into systematic approaches to resolving ethical dilemmas.