The Dimensions of Consequentialism
Ethics, Equality and Risk

This book introduces a new, multidimensional consequentialist theory, according to which an act's rightness depends on several irreducible dimensions.

Martin Peterson (Author)

9781107540606, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 6 August 2015

228 pages, 2 b/w illus. 13 tables
23 x 15.2 x 1.2 cm, 0.34 kg

'… full of mathematical proofs and engages with related literature and selected intuitions …' S. E. Forschler, Choice

Consequentialism, one of the major theories of normative ethics, maintains that the moral rightness of an act is determined solely by the act's consequences. The traditional form of consequentialism is one-dimensional, in that the rightness of an act is a function of a single moral aspect, such as the sum total of wellbeing it produces. In this book Martin Peterson introduces a new type of consequentialist theory: multidimensional consequentialism. According to this theory, an act's moral rightness depends on several separate dimensions, including individual wellbeing, equality and risk. Peterson's novel approach shows that moral views about equality and risk that were previously thought to be mutually incompatible can be rendered compatible, and his precise theoretical discussion helps the reader to understand better the distinction between consequentialist and non-consequentialist theories. His book will interest a wide range of readers in ethics.

Preface
1. Introduction
2. Degrees of rightness
3. First dimension: persons
4. Second dimension: equality
5. Third dimension: risk
6. Multidimensional decision making
7. The best one-dimensional theory
8. The limits of consequentialism
Appendix: multidimensional deontic logic.

Subject Areas: Economic theory & philosophy [KCA], Ethics & moral philosophy [HPQ], Philosophy [HP], Decision theory: general [GPQ]