| CONSEQUENCES | (BLUE) | |
| Pros | ||
| 1. Consequences Matter | Can help us focus on the results and consequences of our decisions (e.g. increasing happiness and reducing harm for the greatest number). | Your friend, intending to show to a person of color that they care most about personal characteristics, says “I don’t see color. We are all the same”. The person of color is hurt because it ignores something very important about them. The intent was good, but the result could have been better. So, it can be essential to consider consequences, not just intent. |
| 2. Impartiality | Can help us focus on acting impartially (beyond ourselves and our personal relationships) while considering the consequences for all. | You are helping to hire someone at your job. Your family member or close friend needs a job and you feel some responsibility for helping them. However, you reason that someone else is more qualified and will do a better job, which will create better consequences for all. |
| Cons | ||
| 1. Rights violations | Can lead to violation of the rights or justice for the outnumbered (the few). Don’t individuals and groups have rights regardless of the consequences for the greatest number? | Due to purchasing regulations your organization must vote on one restaurant to cater an event. A burger place with a very limited menu gets the most votes by far (almost everyone is very happy). That restaurant does not offer choices for a few people with dietary restrictions. |
| 2. Speculation | Speculation about future consequences can be very wrong (implementation problem). Can we really calculate and know all the consequences? | You and your friends advocate for more parking lots on campus. You believe this will help everyone get to class, work, etc faster. You are successful in convincing people to build more parking lots. However, you did not realize that fees go up, there is less classroom space and the environment is harmed, resulting in worse overall consequences. |