consequentialists
Results justify means believers
Consequentialists are people who judge actions by their outcomes rather than by intentions or adherence to rules.
In moral philosophy, they hold that the right choice is whatever produces the best results—most often the greatest good for the greatest number.
Consequentialists would argue that lying is justified if it prevents greater harm.
The term often appears in contrast to deontologists, who emphasize duty regardless of consequences.
Greatest-happiness moral theory
- deontologyMorality based on obligations
- teleologyStudy of purpose in nature
- ethicsStudy of right conduct
- pragmatismPractical problem-solving philosophy
maximization · welfarism · hedonism · Bentham · Mill · impartiality · aggregation · optimization
State of being correct
- wrongnessState of being incorrect
- goodnessMoral excellence
- obligationRequired task or commitment
- responsibilityState of being answerable
accountability · judgment · justification · intentions · actions · principles · impartiality · fairness
What follows from effort
- effectsConsequences or belongings
- impactsForceful contacts or influences
- ramificationsResulting effects or outcomes
- cost-benefitComparing expenditure to return
welfare · well-being · happiness · suffering · harm-reduction · payoffs · side-effects · long-term
Accepting adequate over optimal
utilitarianism
Greatest-happiness moral theory
- deontologyMorality based on obligations
- teleologyStudy of purpose in nature
- ethicsStudy of right conduct
pragmatism · maximization · welfarism · hedonism · Bentham · Mill · impartiality · aggregation · optimization · trade-offs
rightness
State of being correct
- wrongnessState of being incorrect
- goodnessMoral excellence
- obligationRequired task or commitment
responsibility · accountability · judgment · justification · intentions · actions · principles · impartiality · fairness · beneficence
results
What follows from effort
- effectsConsequences or belongings
- impactsForceful contacts or influences
- ramificationsResulting effects or outcomes
cost-benefit · welfare · well-being · happiness · suffering · harm-reduction · payoffs · side-effects · long-term · short-term
satisficing
Accepting adequate over optimal