HL.c.10—Consequentialist ethics

Apply consequentialist ethics.

Consequentialism judges an action by its expected consequences, often seeking the greatest overall benefit or least harm.

A dam may be supported if its total benefits exceed harms after affected communities and ecological losses are counted.

Include distribution, uncertainty and time horizon in the consequence comparison.

Key idea: Apply consequentialist ethics.

A large total benefit does not automatically justify severe harm to a minority.