Which ethical system judges the consequences of an act?

Which ethical system judges the consequences of an act?

• A. Deontological ethical system
• B. Teleological ethical system
• C. Formal ethical system
• D. Kantian ethical system

Answer: (B)

Judging the morality of an action by its outcomes is teleological ethics. Teleology evaluates actions based on their end results, asking whether the consequence is good or beneficial. Utilitarianism is the classic example, where the rightness of any act depends on how much overall good it produces. In contrast, deontological approaches judge actions by adherence to duties or rules, not by outcomes. Kantian ethics, a well-known deontological view, emphasizes universalizable maxims and moral laws rather than the consequences of an action. The term “formal” ethics typically refers to focusing on the form or structure of reasoning rather than its outcomes, so it doesn’t center on the consequences either. Therefore, the choice that aligns with evaluating actions by their results is teleological ethics.

Judging the morality of an action by its outcomes is teleological ethics. Teleology evaluates actions based on their end results, asking whether the consequence is good or beneficial. Utilitarianism is the classic example, where the rightness of any act depends on how much overall good it produces.

In contrast, deontological approaches judge actions by adherence to duties or rules, not by outcomes. Kantian ethics, a well-known deontological view, emphasizes universalizable maxims and moral laws rather than the consequences of an action. The term “formal” ethics typically refers to focusing on the form or structure of reasoning rather than its outcomes, so it doesn’t center on the consequences either.

Therefore, the choice that aligns with evaluating actions by their results is teleological ethics.