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Simple English definitions for legal terms
consequentialism
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A quick definition of consequentialism:
Consequentialism is a way of deciding if something is good or bad based on what happens as a result. This means that if something leads to good consequences, it is considered good, and if it leads to bad consequences, it is considered bad. One example of consequentialism is utilitarianism, which is a type of consequentialism that focuses on making decisions that benefit the most people. Another type of ethics is virtue ethics, which is different from consequentialism because it focuses on the character of the person making the decision rather than the consequences of the decision.
A more thorough explanation:
Consequentialism is an ethical theory that evaluates the morality of an action based on its consequences. This means that an action is considered right or wrong depending on the outcome it produces.
One of the most well-known forms of consequentialism is utilitarianism. Utilitarianism holds that the best action is the one that produces the greatest amount of happiness or pleasure for the greatest number of people. For example, if a doctor has to choose between saving one patient or five patients, utilitarianism would suggest that the doctor should save the five patients because it would result in more overall happiness.
Another example of consequentialism is the decision to use the atomic bomb during World War II. The decision was made based on the belief that it would end the war quickly and save more lives in the long run, even though it caused immense destruction and loss of life in the short term.
These examples illustrate how consequentialism focuses on the outcome of an action rather than the action itself. It is important to note, however, that consequentialism can be controversial because it can justify actions that are considered morally wrong by other ethical theories.