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Consequentialism Theory

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Recommended: Compare and contrast utilitarianism deontology and consequentialism

In the following paper I will be trying to describe in details the Consequentialism theory of ethics and provide few real life examples of applicability and usability. As in a specific moral dilemma there are multiple ways how to describe our theories that can be used to describe or justify the moral decision I will be focusing my attention on Utilitarism (Consequentialism theory) as a way to justify our moral or immoral actions. Most of our life dilemmas are considered, at least from my point of view, to be crucial to our overall character development. Having the proper mind-set or knowledge to deal with them will help one’s decision to be a less of a burden. In every decision making circumstances there will be multiple …show more content…

It represents a way to decide if an action is morally correct by looking at the consequences that it produces, if they are favourable they are morally correct according to Fieser (2016). According to the same author Consequentialism can simply be divided in 3 categories. Ethical egoism classifying an action to be morally right if the overall consequence that action will result to be more beneficial for the person performing it. Ethical altruism when if the benefits of the actions are more beneficial to everyone else except the person performing the action and in the end Utilitarianism which classifies an action to be morally correct if the consequences of that action are beneficial to everyone. The concept, as I previously stated is fairly simple to understand and according to Santa Clara University(2014) it is calculated by subtracting the negative outcome of a circumstance from the overall positive outcome and if positive will be grater then happiness is achieved thus the act is considered morally correct. As the same writers from Santa Clara University(2014) represent, the problem of Utilitarism is that when a unethical action like lying or murder is considered morally correct due to the overall beneficial circumstances that it produces. The theory of Utilitarism is not a criteria that can be used in every circumstance as explained above thus in every moral dilemma I believe that has to be a combination of theories when concluding a

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