Consequentialism v. Deontology

Ticking Bomb Scenario

Consequentialism v. Deontology Ticking Bomb Scenario Save the most lives

Consequentialism v. Deontology Ticking Bomb Scenario Save the most lives Stand on principle: no torture

Consequentialism

Def: Morality is determined by consequences

Consequentialism Def: Morality is determined by consequences –e.g. lives saved

Consequentialism Def: Morality is determined by consequences –e.g. lives saved Maximizing the good

Consequentialism Def: Morality is determined by consequences –e.g. lives saved Maximizing the good –Utility

Consequentialism Def: Morality is determined by consequences –e.g. lives saved Maximizing the good –Utility –Pleasure

Consequentialism Def: Morality is determined by consequences –e.g. lives saved Maximizing the good –Utility –Pleasure –Happiness

Consequentialism Philosopher: John S. Mill ( )

Consequentialism Philosopher: John S. Mill ( ) British

Consequentialism Philosopher: John S. Mill ( ) British “Utilitarianism”

Consequentialism “The creed which accepts as the foundation of morals, Utility, or the Greatest Happiness Principle, holds that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. By happiness is intended pleasure, and the absence of pain; by unhappiness, pain, and the privation of pleasure.”

Consequentialism Zell Kravinsky

Consequentialism Mr. Kravinsky said the only argument against altruistic kidney donation — those given to strangers — that has any validity for him is the one pressed by his wife and parents, who asked what he would do if one of his children needed a kidney and he had none to give.

Consequentialism But, he said, he considered the probability of that happening, the probability of him being alive and having a healthy enough kidney, the probability that a sibling would not be a better donor, the probability that organ donation will still be a necessity. "I thought about all that and decided that the probabilities simply didn't outweigh the life of my recipient," he said. "I love my children, I really do. But I just can't say their lives are more valuable than any other life."

Consequentialism Mr. Kravinsky says he is only applying the principle of "maximum human utility," explaining, "My life is not worth more than anyone else's." "No one should have a vacation home until everyone has a place to live," he said. "No one should have a second car until everyone has one. And no one should have two kidneys until everyone has one."

Consequentialism Striking implication of consequentialism: Impartiality

Consequentialism Striking implication of consequentialism: Impartiality –Def: I must be impartial to whose good my actions promote

Consequentialism –“The happiness which forms the standard of what is right in conduct is not the agent’s own happiness, but that of all concerned. As between his own happiness and that of others, utilitarianism requires him to be as strictly impartial as a disinterested spectator.” –“One person’s happiness, is counted for exactly as much as another’s.” John S. Mill, 1863

Consequentialism Striking implication #2: No act is inherently immoral

Consequentialism Striking implication #2: No act is inherently immoral –Torture

Consequentialism Striking implication #2: No act is inherently immoral –Torture –Murder?

Consequentialism Sinking of The William Brown, March 13, 1841

Deontology

Def: Morality consist in following principles.

Deontology Def: Morality consist in following principles. –e.g. never murder

Deontology Def: Morality consist in following principles. –e.g. never murder Ignores consequences

Deontology Def: Morality consist in following principles. –e.g. never murder Ignores consequences The ends never justify the means

Deontology Philosopher: Immanuel Kant ( )

Deontology Philosopher: Immanuel Kant ( ) Principles of duty:

Deontology Philosopher: Immanuel Kant ( ) Principles of duty: –(1) Universalize your action

Deontology Philosopher: Immanuel Kant ( ) Principles of duty: –(1) Universalize your action –(2) Never treat people as means to an end

Deontology Case: stealing a newspaper

Deontology Case: stealing a newspaper What if everyone did it?

Deontology The criticism of consequentialism:

Deontology The criticism of consequentialism: –It treats people as means to an end

Deontology The criticism of consequentialism: –It treats people as means to an end Torture Kidney donation William Brown

Summary Principles v. Consequences

Summary Principles v. Consequences Consequentialism is realistic

Summary Principles v. Consequences Consequentialism is realistic Deontology protects our rights