• Philosophy -> Ethics and Morality

• 0 Comment

Do the ends justify the means in consequentialism?

Bev Lorryman

When it comes to consequentialism, the central idea is that the rightness or wrongness of an action depends solely on its consequences. In other words, if the results of an action are positive, then it is considered morally right. However, this raises the ethical dilemma of whether the ends justify the means.

Firstly, we must understand that consequentialism is a morally neutral theory. This means that, while it prioritizes the consequences, it does not necessarily condone or justify the means used to achieve them. For instance, if a surgeon were to perform a life-saving operation using questionable means, such as stealing medical equipment, consequentialism would argue that the end result of saving a life outweighs the negative means used. However, it does not necessarily mean that the surgeon's actions were morally justifiable.

Furthermore, consequentialism does not take into account the intrinsic value of actions. Certain actions are inherently wrong, regardless of their consequences. For instance, torturing someone for information may yield positive results, such as preventing a terrorist attack, but it is still considered morally wrong.

In addition, consequentialism raises issues with moral responsibility. If the ends justify the means, then it is easy for individuals to absolve themselves of responsibility for their actions. For example, if a politician were to pass a controversial law to increase their chances of winning an election, they could argue that the positive outcome of getting elected justifies their unethical means. However, this deflects accountability and undermines the importance of ethical behavior.

Ultimately, whether the ends justify the means in consequentialism is a complex and subjective question. While this theory prioritizes the consequences of actions, it does not necessarily condone any means used to achieve them. It also fails to consider the intrinsic value of actions and raises issues with moral responsibility. As a user of social media, it is important to consider the ethical implications of our actions and the potential consequences that may result.