HL.c.10—Consequentialist ethics
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2026
- Objective
- —
- Level
- HL
Apply 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.