POLI 231 Lecture Notes - Consequentialism, Deontological Ethics, Organ Transplantation
20 Apr 2013
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Consequentialists believe that there is only one factor that has any moral significance in determining the status of an act: the goodness of an acts consequences. Consequentialists also find a place for the familiar rules of common sense morality as well- to keep ones promises, not to lie, etc. Alternatively, most people believe that there are several other normative factors with intrinsic moral significance. In principle, this means that an act might be morally forbidden even if it yields the best results. Kagan gives an example: there are 5 sick patients, each needing a transplant of some sort or else they will die. None can be a donor to another, as their tissues aren"t compatible. However, chuck is at the hospital for a checkup and he is a perfect match for all 5 donors. If chuck is chopped up, he will die but save the lives of 5 others.
