What Makes an Action Right or Wrong? Consequentiality Debate - Essay Sample

Introduction

The consequentiality debate is defined as a theory within the philosophical arena which argues that the actions of human beings primarily acquire the state of being morally worth as a consequence of the results or repercussions which occur later (Mitchell, 2018). The consequentiality debate is based on how human beings judge the aspects of being right or wrong as well as how a right or erroneous act was carried out. According to the consequentiality perspective, the actions of human beings must be based on morally upright decisions aimed at obtaining the best outcome achievable.

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Compare and Contrast Deontology and Utilitarianism

When discussing matters regarding the elements of deontology and utilitarianism, there tends to exist several factors of similarity. For instance, the aspects of deontology and utilitarianism are similar as both factors focus their attention on issues concerning the right as well as the wrong actions carried out by the human race (Mitchell, 2018). In addition to exhibiting similarities, the elements of deontology and utilitarianism are also different as they tend to depict representations of what should be considered as good or bad for the human race in diverse ways (Mitchell, 2018).

To philosophers across the globe, deontology is defined as the study of factors which are considered to be an obligation or a duty as well as the resultant moral judgment placed on a particular individual regarding whether such a person has either adhered to or ignored their responsibilities (Mitchell, 2018). An excellent way of increasing a person's comprehension of deontology would be to conduct a comparison of deontology with other theories the likes of utilitarianism which argues that the human race is obliged to take a particular course of action that would make it possible to achieve the best outcomes or positive consequences (Mitchell, 2018). Moreover, according to the theory of utilitarianism, the best results humans can acquire would be to obtain happiness or pleasure as such factors are deemed to be the perfect expression of excellence (Mitchell, 2018). Nonetheless, consequentialism suggests that human beings must put into consideration the repercussions of their actions regardless of whether such acts would be considered as immoral (Mitchell, 2018).

Differences Between Bentham and Mill’s Versions of Utilitarianism

According to Bentham, human beings should engage in activities which tend to yield maximum pleasure without considering the differences in quality. On the other hand, according to Mill, humans are entirely different from animals, which consequently make them highly valued. Mill had the belief that the human race was primarily designed to live through physical pleasures. Thus, Mill argued that the human race had a responsibility of obtaining the best attributes necessary for achieving maximum satisfaction. Therefore, putting the information above into consideration, Mitchell claimed that Bentham's version of utilitarianism was of an act utilitarian while Mill's brand was of a rule utilitarian (Mitchell, 2018). The two elements are completely different as act utilitarianism is defined as the judgment of other humans beings based on their actions while rule utilitarianism is primarily dependant on the overall outcome which yields rewards of happiness for human beings (Mitchell, 2018).

Political and Ethical Implications of Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism has implications whereby there exists a balance of right over wrong. Such an inference is viewed as a moral principle that can suppress actions which are morally correct for individuals who are affected by the adverse advantages as well as disadvantages of their deeds. Hence, utilitarianism has implications on the aspect of ethics, whereby it does not matter whether dubious means were used in a particular course of action as long as the ensuing results were good for all people (Mitchell, 2018). In the contemporary world, human beings make use of this specific type of moral reasoning daily when making and choosing decisions for purposes of eliminating the negative and incorporating beneficial factors in decision making.

On the other hand, political inferences revolve around governments and their authority over citizens and their constitutional rights. As human beings are described as the best judges of their wellbeing, people tend to think that a government with incentives which would yield the best outcome for its citizens are the most suitable to govern. Such perspectives are crucial as they determine the nature as well as the behavior of human beings (Mitchell, 2018). However, possessing utilitarian views may consequently yield negative results for the existent political order as some people may adopt functional political opinions which are intolerant of others such as being authoritarian or conservative.

Explain virtue ethics and care ethics and discuss how these approaches offer an alternative to the deontological and utilitarian focus on how we should act

The aspect of virtue ethics can be likened to the element of normative ethics. Nonetheless, virtue ethics is utterly different from the factors of deontology as well as utilitarianism. Virtue ethics tends to emphasize a person's character, rather their obligations or duties (Mitchell, 2018). This paper will utilize an example of a person in dire need of help to exhibit virtue ethics. According to an individual who holds a practical perspective, he/she would concentrate on the consequent repercussions that would be involved in assisting the individual in need of help. On the other hand, for those who hold deontological perspectives, they would argue that a person should do to others what they would love and desire to be done to them. However, for those with virtue ethics, they would consider helping the individual in dire need of help as an act of charity.

According to Mitchell, virtue ethics defines other existent theories, which consequently make it possible to highlight the necessity of philosophy which is morally upright instead of a doctrine focusing on the positive aspects a person can offer (Mitchell, 2018). Customarily, when discussing matters concerning virtue ethicist, people tend to think that virtue ethicists are concerned with activities such as advising others as well as convincing people to act in ways they believe others would behave if placed in their position. However, when talking about virtue ethicists, people should think about the 'upright' individuals they would desire and love to be instead of focusing on how they would change the world they live in to become a better place for all humanity.

On the other hand, care ethics refers to a moral theory which focuses on the crucial factors of different relationships as well as the existent dependencies in human life. Care ethics is usually considered as the basis for caregivers as well as their patients. As care ethics incorporates meeting the requirements of other people in addition to looking after their health, it is thus not viewed as a theory. Initially, care ethics was developed purposely for people who tend to depend on other individuals. Therefore, care ethics is considered as an alternative to deontology and utilitarianism as it also entails caring after animals and the environment in addition to the human race contrary to deontology which considers taking care of others to be a rule or utilitarianism whereby care ethics is thought to be a means of exhibiting the excellent health of other people (Mitchell, 2018).

Explain existential ethics and briefly discuss the role of free will in ethical decision making. The explanation of existentialism should discuss the following ideas: authenticity, ambiguity, freedom, anxiety, and bad faith

In the philosophical arena, existentialism is defined as a philosophy which focuses on the elements of individual existence, choice as well as freedom. Hence, existential ethics refers to how the human race identifies in addition to defining the meaning of their being in life. Moreover, existential ethics also exhibits how human beings can make rational decisions while living in a universe filled with irrational elements. According to Mitchell, existentialism is the crucial element of focusing on one's existence in life, and the discovery of the self, what it means to be alive as well as one's obligations (Mitchell, 2018). It is based on the idea that human beings are always on the search as a result of the desire to learn and understand their identity. Such a desire is driven by their past expediencies in life as well as the beliefs they have accumulated throughout their lifetime (Mitchell, 2018). To the existentialists, if God or any other supernatural power is non-existent, human beings must learn to live their life by merely acknowledging their existence on earth. Such a perspective would mean that the human race is free and consequently responsible for itself. This particular perspective is emphasized by the actions as well as decisions made by human beings. Furthermore, according to existential ethics, human beings can exercise their freedom to choose once they can employ their freedom as individuals.

The aspect of free will plays a role which is extremely crucial to human beings when they are making decisions. The function which free will plays is considered to be responsible for the uniqueness of the decisions a particular individual makes in the absence of individual needs. In philosophical terms, free will is thought of as the driving force responsible for aspects such as an individual's traditions, laws, or ethical thinking and ruling (Mitchell, 2018). It emphasizes the elements of choice, individual existence, as well as freedom. Hence, as a result of the free will factor, human beings can identify the purpose in addition to the meaning of them being alive based on making decisions rationally.

Existentialism has been said to incorporate the aspects of ambiguity, bad faith, freedom, anxiety as well as authenticity. When discussing matters concerning the aspect of anxiety, there exist various perspectives. One point of view emphasizes the factors of emotions as well as feelings as crucial ways of separating individuals from their existence (Mitchell, 2018). This particular idea tends to portray how existentialism influenced the field of psychology. For the second point of view, it suggests that the element of anxiety is independent in addition to recognizing life (Mitchell, 2018). Hence, as the anxiety factor cannot identify itself or any other components in existence, the life of the human race on earth is thus deemed to be unique.

The element of authenticity can be likened to the aspect of anxiety as the twist is only evident from the definition of "the good life." Nonetheless, authenticity tends to acknowledge that nature does exist in addition to being well connected to the aspect of individualism. As authenticity underpins the idea of people being alone, it is essential that humans should feel delighted that other people are independent as well as different. According to existentialism, the individualism factor is considered as a trend within cultural settings or an element of political value. Moreover, authenticity is regarded as a core virtue whereby it is defined as the state of an individual being true to themselves rather than being easily influenced by the words or actions of other people (Mitchell, 2018).

According to Mitchell, the element of bad faith becomes existent in the absence of authenticity (Mitchell, 2018). Commonly, people are accused of acting in bad faith if they tend to engage in intentional acts of dishonesty. Therefore, by behaving in bad faith, human beings tend to restrict access to a wide range of freedoms contrary to the element...