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Does consequentialism place too much focus on outcomes and not enough on means?

Corda Lennon

Consequentialism is a way of thinking that focuses on the results of our actions instead of just the actions themselves. So, if we do something good and it leads to a positive result, then consequentialism would say that was a good thing to do. But some people think that consequentialism places too much emphasis on the results and doesn't care enough about how we got there.

For example, let's say you have a big test coming up and you could cheat to get a good grade. Consequentialism might say that cheating is okay because it will lead to a good grade and that's what matters. But that's not a very honest or fair way to get a good grade, right? And some people think that matters too.

But on the other hand, sometimes things are more complicated than just looking at the outcomes or the means. What if doing something good right now leads to something bad in the future? Or what if doing something right in one situation isn't the right thing to do in another situation? It's not always easy to know what's best.

So, to answer the question, yes, some people think that consequentialism places too much focus on outcomes and not enough on means. But it's important to remember that thinking about the consequences of our actions is a good thing, as long as we're also thinking about the means we use to get there and whether they're the right thing to do.