Both, for different purposes. I haven’t really looked for papers or consensus, but I’m surprised not to hear more about the idea that ethics has multiple purposes, and it’s probably best to use different frameworks for these purposes. AKA “hypocrisy”—I decide consequentially, and judge others deontologically. Well, really, both are a hybrid (though often with different weights), because part of the consequences is how judgement changes future interactions.
There is a fundamental asymmetry between self and other. I simply can’t know other people’s actual motivation or reasoning. Sometimes they’re willing to claim a description of their thinking, but that’s not terribly trustworthy. This is related to having different reasons for moral evaluation of actions. I want to influence others’ future actions, and I want to understand things better for my future decisions.
Motivation (inferred or at least believably stated) is absolutely key in predicting other’s future behavior. Results are key in understanding whether my behavior had good consequences.
In truth, both are important, for both purposes. My own intentions are questionable, and do get examined and discussed with others—both to improve myself and to help others see how I prefer them to think. Consequences of others’ actions are important to audit/understand their intentions and future behaviors.
Both, for different purposes. I haven’t really looked for papers or consensus, but I’m surprised not to hear more about the idea that ethics has multiple purposes, and it’s probably best to use different frameworks for these purposes. AKA “hypocrisy”—I decide consequentially, and judge others deontologically. Well, really, both are a hybrid (though often with different weights), because part of the consequences is how judgement changes future interactions.
There is a fundamental asymmetry between self and other. I simply can’t know other people’s actual motivation or reasoning. Sometimes they’re willing to claim a description of their thinking, but that’s not terribly trustworthy. This is related to having different reasons for moral evaluation of actions. I want to influence others’ future actions, and I want to understand things better for my future decisions.
Motivation (inferred or at least believably stated) is absolutely key in predicting other’s future behavior. Results are key in understanding whether my behavior had good consequences.
In truth, both are important, for both purposes. My own intentions are questionable, and do get examined and discussed with others—both to improve myself and to help others see how I prefer them to think. Consequences of others’ actions are important to audit/understand their intentions and future behaviors.