Philosophy Consequentialism Questions
Consequentialism and virtue ethics are two different ethical theories that focus on different aspects of moral decision-making.
Consequentialism is an ethical theory that evaluates the morality of an action based on its consequences or outcomes. According to consequentialism, the rightness or wrongness of an action is determined by the overall balance of its positive and negative consequences. The most well-known form of consequentialism is utilitarianism, which holds that the morally right action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or utility for the greatest number of people.
On the other hand, virtue ethics is an ethical theory that emphasizes the development of virtuous character traits in individuals. Virtue ethics focuses on the moral character of the person rather than the consequences of their actions. It suggests that the morally right action is the one that is consistent with virtuous traits such as honesty, courage, compassion, and justice. Virtue ethics places importance on cultivating these virtues through moral education and personal growth.
In summary, the main difference between consequentialism and virtue ethics lies in their respective focuses. Consequentialism evaluates actions based on their outcomes, while virtue ethics emphasizes the development of virtuous character traits in individuals.