An interactive philosophy playground exploring Consequentialism and Kantian Deontology.
Consequentialism argues that the morality of an action is determined entirely by its consequences. The morally right action is the one that produces the best overall results for everyone affected.
Utilitarianism — a major version of consequentialism — evaluates outcomes based on total happiness and suffering.
Deontology holds that morality is grounded in duties and rules rather than consequences alone.
Immanuel Kant argued that moral rules arise from the Categorical Imperative, which requires that we act only on principles that could become universal laws and that we treat persons as ends rather than mere means.
A runaway trolley is about to kill five people on the tracks. You can pull a lever to divert it onto another track where it will kill one person instead.
Is it morally acceptable to lie if it saves someone's life?
Andrew Chapman. “Deontology: Kantian Ethics.” 1000-Word Philosophy.
Shane Gronholz. “Consequentialism and Utilitarianism.” 1000-Word Philosophy.
Bentham, Jeremy. *An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation*. 1823.
Mill, John Stuart. *Utilitarianism*. 1861.