Single Idea 23097

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 1. Goodness / g. Consequentialism]

Full Idea

What is crucial to morality are the good and evil effects of human actions, not their psychological causes.

Gist of Idea

What matters for morality is the effects of action, not the psychological causes

Source

John Kekes (Against Liberalism [1997], 03.4)

Book Reference

Kekes,John: 'Against Liberalism' [Cornell 1997], p.61


A Reaction

The context is his attack on the liberal idea that morality only concerns the actions of autonomous agents. Kekes says he is not a full consequentialist. He just urges that consequences be given greater weight. Even Kant must care about that.