Consequentialist and Non-consequentialist theory

Consequentialist and Non-consequentialist theory with the perspective of ethics

1. Business Ethics Consequentialist & Non consequentialist Theories of Ethics

2. Consequentialist Theory: Consequence _ Something that is happens as a result of particular action Consequentialism _ Result based ethical theory that judge whether or not something is right by what its consequences are. For instance, most people would agree that lying is wrong. But if telling a lie would help save a person’s life, consequentialism says it’s the right thing to do.

3. Cont … Act Ignore rules, duties, right and justice

4. Cont ……. Consequentialism is an attractive ethical approach because it provides clear and practical guidance – at least in situations where outcomes are easy to predict.  Emphasize on pleasure and avoid pain. What is morally right or wrong depend on outcomes. Goodness or wrongness of any act is only determine by its result. The more benefits are produced by act, the more good or right the act will be.

5. Act & Rule Consequentialism Act Consequentialism _ A particular act is morally right if it produced more benefits then alternative actions. Rule Consequentialism__ holds that the rightness of an act depends not on the goodness of its consequences Such as “Don’t harm others,” “Don’t steal,” “Keep one’s promises,” “Tell the truth,” etc. Its general acceptance that these rule usually produce good consequences

6. Examples of Consequentialism Hedonism_ Maximize the pleasure and happiness and minimize the pain and unpleasant. Hedonism can be two types. Utilitarianism_ Social Hedonism “ Greatest good for greatest number ” Ethical Egoism_ associated with self-interest It focus on greatest good rather then greatest number. Believe that pleasure play a central role in life

7. Cont … Pleasure can be intellectual, drug, eating drinking, reading a book etc . Prefer actions which promote happiness and pleasure and oppose pain and unhappiness E.g , Is it right to let one patient die in order to harvest his organs and perhaps save lives of five persons? a cigarette smoker acts on his desire to smoke

8. Cont …. E.g a driver having five passengers in a vehicle is speeding just in front of a trailer on the expressway. On the same side of the road, and immediately in front of the driver, a little boy crosses the road. The driver could continue forward and kill the little boy, or could apply the brake, and kill everybody including himself as there is the possibility of being hit by the trailer from behind. So hitting boy is better then braking and killing five passenger. Cigarette industries. Child labor can moral if its consequences are more beneficial as they can provide food and support to their families. And if we denied child labor, they will still deprived of education due to poverty and may involve in a crime.

9. Cont … Zombie apocalypse breaks out, and you're alone in the only safe house, but there are other people outside. You could keep the door shut, which could be argued as   moral  in  ethical egoism because you are reducing risk to yourself . Egotists  often talk about themselves a lot, not listening to others Lying to protect oneself, even if it harm others. False reporting to save job

10. Non Consequentialist theory: A  non - consequentialist theory  of value judges the rightness or wrongness of an action based on properties intrinsic to the action , not on its consequences.

11. Cont … Act

12. Cont … Morality or immorality of act is judged by rules, natural laws, obligations, duties, rights and justice not on consequences. Act or decision should be matter of principle. We need to follow rules, even if it have bad consequences. It include Justice and Right theories. E.g we ought to stop at a red light, even if no cars are coming and we could get to destination that much sooner.

13. Cont … We ought not to steel neighbor’s property, even if they will never miss it and we will gain many benefits from it. In business context, decision making should according to laws and rules.