There is more than one "best" state of affairs

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Problems with Consequentialist Ethics
• Supererogation
• Impartiality and Personal Ties
• The Importance of Deontological Ethics
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper critically examines the merits of deontological ethics by highlighting the limitations of consequentialism. The author argues that deontological ethics, with its emphasis on backward-looking justifications, offers a valuable counterbalance to the forward-looking nature of consequentialism, reflecting our intuitive moral reasoning more accurately.

• The limitations of consequentialism in addressing supererogatory actions and the demandingness of achieving the "best overall state of affairs."
• The incompatibility of consequentialism with the intrinsic value of personal relationships and its disregard for the "highly personal character of duty."
• The importance of deontology in recognizing and upholding the value of interpersonal duties and obligations, such as sincerity and honesty.
• The argument that deontology provides a more accurate reflection of our intuitive moral reasoning, particularly in regard to our partiality toward individuals and situations.
• The need for a balanced approach to ethics that considers both consequentialist and deontological perspectives.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The paper begins by outlining the inherent problems with consequentialist thought. It argues that consequentialism fails to acknowledge the concept of supererogatory actions – actions that go beyond the call of duty – and thereby equates morally required and morally laudable actions. This leads to the demanding expectation that individuals continuously strive for the "best overall state of affairs," which can be overly burdensome.

Furthermore, the paper contends that consequentialism disregards the importance of personal relationships. It argues that consequentialism's emphasis on impartiality clashes with the intrinsic value of human ties, such as friendship and love, which are not readily quantifiable or generalizable.

In contrast, the paper presents deontological ethics as a valuable counterbalance to consequentialism. It argues that deontology, with its focus on backward-looking justifications, better reflects our intuitive moral reasoning, especially when it comes to our partiality towards individuals and specific situations. Deontology allows for the recognition and upholding of interpersonal duties and obligations, such as sincerity and honesty, which are essential for our human relationships.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The key concepts explored in this text include deontological ethics, consequentialism, supererogation, impartiality, personal ties, interpersonal duties, moral reasoning, and the "best overall state of affairs."