Philosophy Consequentialism Questions
Consequentialism and moral relativism are two distinct ethical theories that differ in their approach to determining what is morally right or wrong.
Consequentialism is an ethical theory that focuses on the consequences or outcomes of actions. According to consequentialism, the morality of an action is determined solely by its consequences. The right action is the one that produces the greatest overall amount of happiness or utility for the greatest number of people. Consequentialism does not consider intentions or motives, but rather emphasizes the end result.
On the other hand, moral relativism is the belief that moral principles are not universally applicable and that moral judgments are subjective and dependent on individual or cultural perspectives. Moral relativism holds that there are no absolute or objective moral truths, and what is considered morally right or wrong can vary from person to person or society to society. It rejects the idea of a universal moral standard and instead emphasizes the importance of cultural, historical, and personal contexts in determining morality.
In summary, the main difference between consequentialism and moral relativism lies in their approach to determining moral rightness. Consequentialism focuses on the consequences of actions, while moral relativism emphasizes the subjective nature of moral judgments and the absence of universal moral truths.