Mains Practice Questions

Approach

• Start your answer with discussing key principles of deontological & consequentialist ethics.
• Discuss their differences.
• Conclude accordingly.

Introduction

• Ethics refers to the study of moral principles and values that guide human behavior.
• There are two main ethical theories in philosophy: deontological ethics and consequentialist ethics. Deontological ethics is concerned with duty and obligation, while consequentialist ethics is focused on the consequences of an action.

Body

• Key Principles of Deontological Ethics:
  • Duty-based ethics: Deontological ethics holds that there is a moral duty or obligation to act in a certain way regardless of the outcome. The moral duty is based on the idea that there are certain actions that are inherently right or wrong.
  • Respect for persons: Deontologists believe that individuals have inherent value and must be respected. This means that individuals must be treated as ends in themselves, not as means to an end.
  • Universality: Deontological ethics holds that moral principles should apply to all individuals equally, regardless of their background or circumstances.
  • Immanuel Kant's Categorical Imperative: The German philosopher Immanuel Kant proposed that individuals should act according to the principle of the Categorical Imperative, which states that one should act in such a way that the maxim (rule) of one's action could be made into a universal law.
• Examples of Deontological Ethics:
  • Whistleblowing: A deontologist would argue that it is the moral duty of an individual to report unethical behavior, regardless of the consequences.
  • Capital Punishment: A deontologist would argue that capital punishment is wrong because it violates the inherent value of human life.
  • Torture: A deontologist would argue that it is wrong to use torture as a means of obtaining information, as it violates the inherent value and dignity of the individual being subjected to it.
• Key Principles of Consequentialist Ethics:
  • Outcome-focused ethics: Consequentialist ethics focuses on the outcome or consequences of an action, rather than the action itself. The morality of an action is judged by the consequences that it produces.
  • Utilitarianism: Utilitarianism is a form of consequentialist ethics that holds that the morality of an action is determined by the amount of happiness it produces for the greatest number of people.
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis: Consequentialists believe that ethical decisions should be based on a cost-benefit analysis, weighing the potential benefits and costs of an action to determine whether it is moral.
• Examples of Consequentialist Ethics:
  • Euthanasia: A consequentialist would argue that euthanasia is ethical if it results in the relief of suffering for the individual undergoing it and their family.
  • Climate Change: A consequentialist would argue that reducing greenhouse gas emissions is ethical if it results in the preservation of the environment for future generations.
  • Vaccination: A consequentialist would argue that vaccinating individuals is ethical if it results in the prevention of disease outbreaks and protects public health.
• Difference between Deontological and Consequentialist Ethics:
  • Focus: The main difference between deontological and consequentialist ethics is that deontologists focus on the inherent morality of an action, while consequentialists focus on the outcome or consequences of an action.
  • Duty vs. Consequences: Deontologists believe that there is a moral duty or obligation to act in a certain way, regardless of the outcome. Consequentialists, on the other hand, judge the morality of an action based on the outcome or consequences that it produces.
  • Individual vs. Society: Deontologists focus on the inherent value and dignity of individuals, while consequentialists focus on the greatest good for the greatest.

Conclusion

Deontological and consequentialist ethics are two distinct ethical theories that differ in their focus and principles. Deontological ethics emphasizes the inherent morality of an action and the duty to act in a certain way, while consequentialist ethics focuses on the outcome or consequences of an action. Both theories offer different perspectives on ethical decision-making and have their strengths and weaknesses. Ultimately, the choice between deontological and consequentialist ethics depends on one's beliefs and values.