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Single Idea 4327

[filed under theme 23. Ethics / D. Deontological Ethics / 1. Deontology ]

Full Idea

Though it is sometimes said that deontologists 'take no account of consequences', this is manifestly false, for many actions we deliberate about only fall under rules or principles when we bring in their predicted consequences.

Gist of Idea

Deontologists do consider consequences, because they reveal when a rule might apply

Source

Rosalind Hursthouse (On Virtue Ethics [1999], Ch.1)

Book Ref

Hursthouse,Rosalind: 'On Virtue Ethics' [OUP 2001], p.33

A Reaction

An important defence of deontology, which otherwise is vulnerable to the 'well-meaning fool' problem. It is no good having a good will, but refusing to think about consequences.

The 24 ideas with the same theme [moral theories centring on the idea of duty]:

5252 'Enkrateia' (control) means abiding by one's own calculations [Aristotle]
3549 Ariston says rules are useless for the virtuous and the non-virtuous [Ariston, by Annas]
19407 We want good education and sociability, rather than lots of moral precepts [Leibniz]
6257 You can't form moral rules without an end, which needs feelings and a moral sense [Hutcheson]
4024 Kant follows Rousseau in defining freedom and morality in terms of each other [Taylor,C on Kant]
7105 If 'maxims' are deeper underlying intentions, Kant can be read as a virtue theorist [Kant, by Statman]
7625 We can ask how rational goodness is, but also why is rationality good [Putnam on Kant]
3710 The only purely good thing is a good will [Kant]
3715 Other causes can produce nice results, so morality must consist in the law, found only in rational beings [Kant]
3737 The will is good if its universalised maxim is never in conflict with itself [Kant]
20715 It is basic that moral actions must be done from duty [Kant]
2915 Each person should devise his own virtues and categorical imperative [Nietzsche]
7185 Replace the categorical imperative by the natural imperative [Nietzsche]
8065 'Ought' and 'right' are survivals from earlier ethics, and should be jettisoned [Anscombe]
8069 Between Aristotle and us, a Judaeo-Christian legal conception of ethics was developed [Anscombe]
22391 Saying we 'ought to be moral' makes no sense, unless it relates to some other system [Foot]
5077 The modern idea of obligation seems to have lost the idea of an obligation 'to' something [Taylor,R]
4113 'Deon' in Greek means what one must do; there was no word meaning 'duty' [Williams,B]
3261 Something may be 'rational' either because it is required or because it is acceptable [Nagel]
20276 Conflict of rules might be avoided by greater complexity, or by a hierarchy of rules [Singer]
3784 Duty prohibits some acts, whatever their consequences [Glover]
3550 Principles cover life as a whole, where rules just cover actions [Annas]
4327 Deontologists do consider consequences, because they reveal when a rule might apply [Hursthouse]
4335 'Codifiable' morality give rules for decisions which don't require wisdom [Hursthouse]