Answer to Question #201166 in Philosophy for kim

Question

What do you think about judging the consequences of actions only to determine their moral worth, without reference to an individual’s moral values, intentions, or motivations? Describe what role evaluating consequences plays in your moral reasoning. What other factors come into play in your efforts to “do the right thing”? (150 words)

Answer 1

In my opinion, judging the consequences of an action without looking at the intentions for doing an action is very brutal. For example, when a young boy steals an inhaler to rescue his dying mama, it would be assumed that he has done a great job, that is saving a soul. On the other hand, the law condemns stealing, therefore, the boy by law should be convicted of stealing. In this scenario, when the boy is judged without looming at his intention, then it would be brutal and inhuman.

Evaluation of consequences helps in moral reasoning by balancing between the benefits that action will accrue than the harm it will bring. This only happens when the benefits will be enjoyed by everyone in the society and the harm is prevented from occurring to everyone. For example, evaluation of consequences assists the economists to work out the economy of a country by giving detailed information about the state of the economy of the nation through lying to make the citizens agree with the proposal of increased taxation hence increase in prices of commodities. This helps the government to gunner increased revenue.

The pharmacists also apply this method of reasoning by weighing the side effects of a drug and its benefits. When the benefits outweigh the side effects then the drug is adopted for consumption by the public.

Doing the right thing

The factors that come when I try to do the right thing are; my interests in doing the right thing, the views of others concerning my action, the moral values of my society, and my fear of punishment.