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Consequentialism can also be contrasted with aretaic moral theories such as virtue ethics. Whereas consequentialist theories posit that consequences of action should be the primary focus of our thinking about ethics, virtue ethics insists that it is the character rather than the consequences of actions that should be the focal point.
Utilitarianism is a consequentialist ethical theory, meaning that it holds that acts are justified insofar as they produce a desirable outcome. The overarching goal of utilitarianism—the ideal consequence—is to achieve the "greatest good for the greatest number as the result of human action". [ 82 ]
Consequentialist theories were first developed by the ancient Chinese philosopher Mozi, who proposed a system that sought to maximize benefit and eliminate harm. [5] Mohist consequentialism advocated communitarian moral goods, including political stability , population growth , and wealth , but did not support the utilitarian notion of ...
His best-known work is The Right and the Good (1930), in which he developed a pluralist, deontological form of intuitionist ethics in response to G. E. Moore's consequentialist form of intuitionism. Ross also critically edited and translated a number of Aristotle's works , such as his 12-volume translation of Aristotle together with John ...
Mill's Utilitarianism remains "the most famous defense of the utilitarian view ever written" [16] and is still widely assigned in university ethics courses around the world. Largely owing to Mill, utilitarianism rapidly became the dominant ethical theory in Anglo-American philosophy. [17]
His meta-ethical theories were influential during the second half of the twentieth century. Hare is best known for his development of prescriptivism as a meta-ethical theory, which he argues is supported by analysis of formal features of moral discourse, and for his defence of preference utilitarianism based on his prescriptivism.
Sidgwick summarizes his position in ethics as utilitarianism "on an Intuitional basis". [10] This reflects, and disputes, the rivalry then felt among British philosophers between the philosophies of utilitarianism and ethical intuitionism, which is illustrated, for example, by John Stuart Mill's criticism of ethical intuitionism in the first chapter of his book Utilitarianism.
Known for her use, and defence, of philosophical thought experiments and moral intuitions, Frances Kamm is a major figure in contemporary non-consequentialist ethics. Kamm's work spans across many issues in bioethics, normative ethics, and the philosophy of death, including: the moral justification of abortion , the ethics of war , physician ...