I always find it valuable to spend time analyzing and applying the world’s moist influential moral perspectives. The dichotomy of consequentialism vs. Deontology is especially interesting, and has been apparent in just about every Leadership and PPEL class I have taken. Whether or not we value outcomes or principles more is an extremely dificult question to answer. Only by looking at theorhtical cases, as like in this piece, can we come closer to answering difficult moral questions.
Personally, I find a lot of similarities in the way I think to deontology. It seems obvious to me in many situations that guding principles can lead individuals to do the right thing. The issue I have with consequentialism is that we can never be fully sure what the outcomes of an action will be until said act is committed. With a deontological perspective in place, it seems much more guartunteed that one will be in the right. Following moral principles can shape an engtire argument, as it acts as a premise throughout the entirety of arguments that they exist within. By acting based entirely on guiding moral principles, it seems very hard for one to act in an immoral manner. Overall, this piece increased my knowledge of ethics, and was an interesting and useful read.
I personally think that principles are one of the most important aspect of a persons life. I believe that if you follow your principles then the outcome usually ends up in your favor. And if not, then there isn’t many thoughts in the back of your mind as to what you could have done differently to change the outcome. Like you said, we can never be sure of the outcome so I think that you should focus more on your principles than the end state.
In my view, what’s right should always come first. There are a lot of historical examples that demonstrate that, when a consequentialist view results in something terrible happening. But in those instances, consequentialism was such a powerful force that it convinced people that they were morally right in their actions. I think that is why deontology is the better origin point. It’s better to adopt principles and stick to them, instead of only working towards one outcome.