The installation of a moral system is vital in every society. Yet, every moral system must
deal with the major conflicting general moral issues: Consequentialism versus
Non-consequentialism; Self versus Other-Interestedness; Act Utilitarianism versus Rule
Utilitarianism; and Emotion versus reason. When all four areas are combined and examined
there are conflicting views that must be resolved.
First of all, there is the issue of Consequentialism and Non-consequentialism.
Consequentialism is best described by utilitarianism, where decisions are based on the
consequences of the outcome of the decision made. On the other hand, non-consequentialism
is best described as an ethical theory that is based not on the consequences of the
action, but on some higher moral standard that is placed upon them. Examples of
non-consequentialism are Kant's Duty Ethics and Divine Command Theory. The conflict
between the two is whether to do what is best according to the outcome or follow what one
feels as the higher moral standard would require them to adhere to.
consequentialism
Originally uploaded to the English Wikipedia on 13...
Jeremy Bentham, by Henry William Pickersgill (died...Personally, I would
resolve this area by choosing the consequentialist belief as my tool for judgement
because I feel that people need to think about the consequences of their actions because
if they don't then it will cause havoc in the society. Thus, I feel that consequentialism
is the proper solution in this area.
Secondly, there is the conflict between Self versus Other-Interestedness. The concept of
self is best described as being selfish and only caring about oneself without worrying
about what might happen to others. While the concept of other-interestedness is basically
putting the needs of everyone else over your own (this is similar to utilitarianism). The
big conflict is that most people are going to choose themselves first, but if this were a
perfect society the people would worry about everyone first. If people...