Think of 3 examples where you wanted to do something,

but didn’t because of the consequences?

Consequentialism

To define consequentialism

To describe examples of consequentialism

Morality

To evaluate consequentialism

1. Define what “consequentialism” is. 2. Think of an example where you had

to weigh up the pros and cons of doing something.• Show on a scale what the pros

and cons are. • Which side of the scale has

more weight? What should you do?

**Is this a good way of deciding what to do?

Often, we think about the consequences of an action, before deciding whether it

would be right to do.

We weigh up benefits and disadvantages. This is doing the

“Consequences Calculation”

Consequentialism is doing whatever has the best result for the greatest number of people,

by weighing up the pros and cons.

An ambulance brings in a homeless man with brain damage, who has been in a

Road Traffic Accident.

The doctor knows he has no family or friends. With urgent medical care, his life could be saved, although he would still be

brain damaged.

The doctor on duty could act quickly to save the man’s life. However, he could also let

the man die, without being blamed for this. Then the man’s organs could be used for

organ donation, saving the lives of 4 other people.

What should he do ? What will bring about the greatest good? The less evil?

Answer the questions in yellow with your partner.

What are the pros/ cons?

Consequentialism says that you should do the greatest good to the most people, so in the homeless man situation, you should…

I agree/ disagree with this because…

Calculating what is RIGHT to do

1. Pick a situation with your partner. 2. Draw a set of scales for it, and

write down ALL the pros and cons of doing this, as on this slide

3. Give a score of how likely the good/ bad is to happen

4. What does the consequentialist calculation say you should do? Do you agree with this?

**Is doing a consequentialist calculation a good way to decide what to do?

Good that will result:

How likely is this to happen?

Bad that will result:

How likely is the bad to happen?

Conclusion:

Last thoughts..

What does the man decide to do in this video? Why?

Would you do this?Do you decide to do things in this way?

9/11

What would a consequentialist decide was the

right thing to do?

HW Write up one of the situation in your

table. – Describe the situation– Compare the benefits and

disadvantages of doing this action– Explain what the “consequentialist

calculation” might lead someone to decide

– Do you agree with this result?