According to Bazerman & Tenbrusnel (2011)"A consequentialist approach is one that determines the morality of an action by its insuring consequences" (p. 25). Emmanuel Kant explained a different point of view, which included the deontological approach. In Kant's explanation, this approach judges the morality of an action based on the action's adherence to rules or duties (Bazerman & Tenbrusnel, 2011, p. 25).
In the scenario of an overcrowded life boat, the consequentialist approach would look at the costs and benefits of the situation and then choose the option that will result in the highest balance. The captain would want to save the most people possible. It is his responsibility to save the few that are most likely to make it to safety and survive the shipwreck and the storm. By saving as many passengers as possible the captain would feel as if he were doing the maximum good. In order to complete this process, the captain would have sacrifice the weak, so that the strong would survive. By choosing this approach, the end result is that some people will survive the catastrophe, so in essence, the group has chosen to do, “…the greatest good for the greatest number of people” (Bazerman & Tenbrusnel, 2011, p. 25).…show more content… The strong would be able to row and provide the greatest chance of survival. In this dilemma the greatest good for the group from a consequentialist mentality is all about numbers. The strongest would equally be able to physically work for the group ensuring a better chance of survival than the weak. If the passengers had the same mindset and all lived by this consequentialist approach they would also want to have some survive. It would be ethical to work for some survivors instead of no one at
