Differentiate between a consequentialist and a utilitarian theory. Will Niccolò Machiavelli's theory be regarded as consequentialist or utilitarian?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer is Consequentialism is a moral theory that evaluates the morality of an action based on its consequences. Utilitarianism is a specific form of consequentialism that holds that the best action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or pleasure and minimizes suffering for the greatest number of people.

Niccolò Machiavelli's theory, as outlined in his work "The Prince," would be regarded as consequentialist. Machiavelli's theory focuses on the outcomes and consequences of actions, rather than the inherent morality of the actions themselves. He famously argued that the ends justify the means, and that a ruler should do whatever is necessary to maintain power and stability, even if it means acting immorally. This aligns with the consequentialist approach, as it prioritizes the outcomes of actions over the actions themselves. However, Machiavelli's theory is not necessarily utilitarian, as it does not specifically prioritize the overall happiness or pleasure of the greatest number of people. Instead, it prioritizes the stability and power of the ruler or state.

Differentiate Between a Consequentialist and a Utilitarian Theory