Action Quote by Allen W. Wood
“Consequentialist theories pretend that we can set some great big ends (the general happiness, human flourishing), provide ourselves with definite enough conceptions of them to make them the objects of instrumental reasoning, and then obtain enough reliable information about what actions will best promote them that we could regulate our conduct by these considerations alone.”
About This Quote
Source Philosophy Textbook: Consequentialism, 2015
Consequentialism assumes we can define ultimate goals, predict outcomes, and base actions solely on that knowledge.
In simple terms: It claims we can act only on measurable outcomes.
Key Takeaway
Question the feasibility of measuring ultimate good.
Themes
ethics
consequentialism
philosophy
decisionmaking
goalsetting
Mood
critical
inquisitive
Type
theoretical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- policy design
- personal moral choices
- business strategy
Key Concepts
utilitarianism
predictive modeling
instrumental reasoning
Questions to Reflect On
- Can we truly know what maximizes overall happiness?
- What limits our ability to predict outcomes?
A Different Perspective
Human values are often too complex to quantify.
