A634.2.4.RB.MELISSA BURNS

A634.2.4.RB.MELISSA BURNS

In Chapter 2, A Tale of Two Theories, LaFollette (2007) discusses Consequentialism and Deontology. Discuss your thoughts on these two theories. Do you tend to lean toward being a consequentialist? Deontologist?

Consequentialism is the theory of ethics that focuses on the consequences of an action or decision.  When considering a situation, a consequentialist would weigh the outcomes of the decision against one another and choose based on which one has the best overall consequences (LaFollette, 2007).  For example, in the train scenario discussed earlier, the consequentialist would decide to throw the switch or to push the man in front of the train to stop in and would see that sacrificing one life to save five lives is the ethically right thing to do.    

Deontology is the theory of ethics that focuses on the act itself rather than on the consequences of the act or decision and includes a set of moral rules (LaFollette, 2007).  For example, in the train scenario they deontologist would consider if morally a person was doing the right or wrong thing when throwing the switch or pushing the man in front of the tracks to sacrifice one life to save 5 others.  The Deontologist has to decide if there is a moral rule that they are breaking when taking action.  If the rule is, do not murder, then they cannot throw the switch or push the man as this would be murdering one person to save 5 others.  

When considering consequentialism versus deontology I have to consider my own perspective on ethics and how I make my decisions whether based on a set of moral rules or consequences.  Another way to look at this is by looking at what I consider more important, getting good results, or doing the right thing?  Mark D. White presents the questions, “Would you tell a lie to protect someone from harm?  Would you sign off on torture to prevent a bomb attack? (White, 2016)” to get you to critically think about the difference.  Consequentialism would say that it is ok to lie or to torture if the end result is better for overall society whereas deontology would not allow for such immoral acts despite the overall consequences (White, 2016).  When cheering on our favorite superheroes in a movie we often support them breaking the laws of society to get the bad guy. In the end, most people seem to lean towards consequentialism despite having the perception that they would not go against their better moral judgment despite the consequences.  I feel that I fall into this category too.  I like to think that I would not sacrifice my own morals, despite the consequences however; I don’t mind hopping a fence and climbing a tower so that I can get a BASE jump in.  My actions, when I look at my life choices, deem me a follower of consequentialism more so than deontology ethics.            

References

LaFollette, H. (2007). The Practice of Ethics.  Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub.

White, M., (2016).  Getting Good Results vs. Doing the Right Thing.  Retrieved from https://www.learnliberty.org/blog/getting-good-results-vs-doing-the-right-thing/

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