Consequentialism looks only at the outcome of an action rather then the action itself. For example, we are taught that murder is wrong. Consequence ethics would say that murder is the right thing to do if it results into saving many others. A consequentialist is also known as a follower of consequence ethics.
In WW1, a soldier named Henry Tandey could have killed Hitler as a young man in 1916. This man was Henry Tandey. The act of not killing Hitler when he had the chance resulted in The Holocaust. If Tandey had chosen to execute Hitler – because most ethics consider murder to be unethical – it would have resulted in nearly 20 million people not being killed.
Consequences happen because of consequences.
What Henry thought was ethical (not finishing Hitler) had the consequences of so many innocent people being murdered. These days many philosophers don’t take consequentialism seriously and instead choose to rule consequence ethics.
Consequentialism infographic
In the infographic image are the principal types of consequentialism listed. Egoism focuses on the consequences for one person. Group consequentialism takes the consequences in mind for a group. For instance, a whole nation. lastly, utilitarianism focuses on the consequences for everyone. Divided in the greater good for all humans or all conscious beings.
What is the meaning of Consequence based Ethics?
In 1958 people established an extraordinary ethic, as we now know as consequence ethics. Consequence ethics doesn’t look at the action but rather at the result or outcome of that particular action. Therefore, moral quality is the function of consequences and nothing else.
This ideology considers two different approaches. First, they take a look at what is good. Second, they value how one should approach the good. The point of morality is to make the world a better place. For instance, Hedonism is also a form of consequence ethics – but more based on pleasure as an outcome.
There are in nature neither rewards nor punishments — there are consequences.
There are two different paths regarding this ethics as stated in the introduction: what is good and how should we approach the good. First, we should look at what is good.
Downside of consequentialism explained
All ethics have a downside. Otherwise there wouldn’t be a need for more ethics or a whole jurisdiction. Consequence ethic states that we should look at the consequences, but what if that goes against your principles?
For instance, your friend tells you something in secret, and you swore not to tell anyone. He did something wrong and wants to share their story with you.
Consequence ethics tells us to break that promise and blow the whistle for the greater good: a more desirable, consequential outcome. Even murder would be considered ‘morally’ good in some scenarios. However, consequence ethics is sometimes criticized, because no one can look into the future. So, we actually don’t really know if the action has the best outcome or consequences. The end justifies the means.
Consequentialism vs Utilitarianism: The Difference Explained
Utilitarianism is a form of consequentialism, but there are some differences—the difference between consequence ethics and utilitarianism is that consequentialism does not pinpoint a preferred or chosen outcome. While utilitarianism does specify good as the desired outcome.
We are free to choose our paths, but we can't choose the consequences that come with them.
Examples of utilitarianism vs consequentialism
Below are listed some examples to further clarify the key difference between consequentialism and utilitarianism. Furthermore, there is a video that explains it more in-depth. I am not a big fan of the style of this video, the comments really clarify the subject well with some amazing explanations and examples regarding the subject.
- Consequentialism states that something is right based on the consequences
- A consequentialist strives for the most favorable consequences. A utilitarianist strives for the greatest good for the greatest number of people
- Utilitarianism is a mixture between consequence ethics and hedonism
- Around the 1960s the term ‘utilitarianism’ was used to refer to ‘consequence ethics’. Today it is a subset of consequentialism.
Advantages and disadvantages of consequentialism
Like almost everything in the world, consequentialism knows its pros and cons. One major advantage consequentialism has is that is it fairly easy to implement. It has clear and practical guidance. Furthermore, it works well in an environment where the outcome is easily predictable.
A huge downside and disadvantage of consequentialism are that we cannot forsee the future. Therefore, we don’t always know what is good in the end.
- Utilitarianism: maximize human well-being
- Hedonism: maximize human pleasure
What does moral consequence mean?
So, what are moral consequences? Good that you asked. Moral consequences are the consequences that come from your decision. For instance, all actions have consequences. Those consequences are called moral consequences.
Key figures of Consequentialism listed
When you are doing research and searching about consequentialism you will most likely come across a couple of philosophers who had a great influence on consequence ethics. Those people are Bentham, Anscombe, and Mill. Influenced by Aristotle, Locke, Bonesana, Aquinas, and Wittgenstein. Our three consequentialist pioneers are further explained below:
Jeremy Bentham
Jeremy Bentham believed in the principle of utility and of the greatest happiness – utilitarianism. Basically, utility means wellness, happiness, and the state of being beneficial.
Bentham believed that the most ethical outcome results in the most happiness for the most number of people. In order to achieve that, Bentham created the ‘felicific calculus‘. Also known as the ‘hedonistic calculus’.
In this calculation, Bentham included 7 variables: extent, intensity, duration, purity – for instance, righteousness, fecundity – for example, giving birth, certainty/uncertainty, and propinquity – which means something along the lines of ‘close kinship’.
Elizabeth Anscombe
Gertrude Elizabeth Margaret Anscombe was an exceptional woman. While orders of intellectual renown are hard to assign individually when the person belongs to one’s own time, there is no doubt that Anscombe was one of the most gifted and accomplished philosophers of the twentieth century. In life, Anscombe rejected both consequentialism and determinism.
The Article ‘Modern Moral’ by Anscombe was the first to introduce the term consequentialism. You can read more about the life and work of Elizabeth Anscombe here.
John Stuart Mill
John Stuart Mill was a classic English philosopher in the 19th century. Mill is known for writing three books that made a huge impact on ethics and philosophy: ‘on liberty’, ‘utilitarianism’, and ‘the subsection of woman’. These three books all share one common ground: the advocacy of liberty.
As Bentham focused on pleasure and pain, Mill believed that there was much more to that. Mill believed in harm and benefits rather than pleasure and pain alone. For example, raising a family can be very pleasurable, but could also bring a lot of pain.
Furthermore, Mill suggested some extra additions to Bentham’s theory. This is known as ‘rule utilitarianism’.
3 examples of consequentialism in Healthcare
Consequentialism is a theory that is quite common in the healthcare industry. Especially since healthcare and nursing deal with numerous ethical situations. Below are listed three practical examples of consequence ethics in healthcare.
No one can understand the truth until he drinks of coffee’s frothy goodness.
- There are six patients who suffer from an illness. One patient requires a higher dosage than the other five in order to survive. There is only as much medicine left for a) the five people or b) the one person who requires a higher dosage. So, who would you give the medicine to?
- There are three patients who suffer from major blood loss. There is not enough reserved for even one single patient. Two lives could be saved if one patient would be used for the transfusion for both of them. Would you sacrifice one of them and who would that be?
- Most of us certainly enjoy a nice hot cup of coffee, don’t we? Anthony certainly does. I spend approximately $8 a week on coffee which is $35 a month. According to consequence ethics, this is morally wrong. I could have donated that money to a foundation that feeds hungry children and aid in making the world a better place. When maximizing morality, spending money wrongly is unethical.
Satisficing Consequentialism as an alternative Ethic
That being said, a consequentialist does not need to maximize the right action. The correct action should be enough good.
This concept is known as satisficing consequentialism. Many find this theory odd because it would seem rational to maximize the outcome if we consider that the most common interest is better than the less good.
Other Ethics you might find interesting (unless school requires you to)
Natural Law Theory
Moral values and certain laws are inherent in human nature. That is the main idea around natural law theory. Ethics are important in our daily
Divine Command Theory
Moral values and certain laws are inherent in human nature. That is the main idea around natural law theory. Ethics are important in our daily
Virtue Ethics
Virtue ethics revolves around three significant aspects; virtue, as the name states, purpose, and happiness. It answers and explains questions like ‘how am I supposed
Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism originates from the followers of Epicurus, also known as Epicureanism. It was founded by the English philosopher Jeremy Bentham as consequentialism ethics. Utilitarianism generally looks at
Deontology
Deontology is an ethical methodology based on absolute rules of behavior, also known as norms. Deontology is not hard to apply at all. For instance, it