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9. Consequentialism

  • Deni Elliott and Karlana June
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Communication and Media Ethics
This chapter is in the book Communication and Media Ethics

Abstract

Consequentialism is the category of ethical theories that determine the morality of potential, current and past actions by analyzing the outcomes or potential outcomes of those actions. Here we discuss consequentialism as a method for analysis for production, distribution and use of mass communication based on the theory described by John Stuart Mill, a nineteenth Century philosopher. Consequentialism is applicable to the study of mass communication because the intent of mass communication is to have impact on an audience.

Abstract

Consequentialism is the category of ethical theories that determine the morality of potential, current and past actions by analyzing the outcomes or potential outcomes of those actions. Here we discuss consequentialism as a method for analysis for production, distribution and use of mass communication based on the theory described by John Stuart Mill, a nineteenth Century philosopher. Consequentialism is applicable to the study of mass communication because the intent of mass communication is to have impact on an audience.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Preface to Handbooks of Communication Science series V
  3. Acknowledgements XI
  4. Contents XIII
  5. 1. Defining the Field 1
  6. 2. A History of Media Ethics: From Application to Theory and Back Again 15
  7. 3. Communication Ethics: Origins and Trajectories 31
  8. 4. Cultural Pluralism and Media Ethics: Theorizing in a Globalized World of Difference 53
  9. 5. Contractualism for Media Ethics 75
  10. 6. Moral Psychology 95
  11. 7. Theorizing the Ambitions, Opportunities, and Limitations of Democratic Dialogue 121
  12. 8. Deontology 139
  13. 9. Consequentialism 159
  14. 10. Virtue Ethics & Media 171
  15. 11. Care Ethics: A Different Voice for Communication and Media Ethics 191
  16. 12. Harm in Journalism 215
  17. 13. Harm in Media Marketing: the Branding of Values 235
  18. 14. Harm and Entertainment 251
  19. 15. Harm in Public Relations 273
  20. 16. Justice and Media Ethics 295
  21. 17. Principled Advocacy 311
  22. 18. Morality in Entertainment 329
  23. 19. Popular Culture and Media 347
  24. 20. Communication Ethics and Globalization 367
  25. 21. Communication Ethics Research: Evolution and Thoughtful Response 391
  26. 22. No Greater Than Who I Actually Am: Virtue Ethics in Digital Life Narratives 407
  27. 23. Web Architecture and Values in the Stack: Exploring the Relationship between Internet Infrastructure and Human Values 425
  28. 24. Communication Technology and Perception 451
  29. 25. Research Directions 469
  30. 26. Theorizing over the Horizon: Ontology in the Global Imaginary 485
  31. 27. Toward an Interpretive Framework: Neuroethical Considerations for Media Ethics 511
  32. 28. Searching for Universals without Making Problematic Imperialistic Assumptions 529
  33. Biographical notes on the contributors 549
  34. Index 553
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110466034-009

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Preface to Handbooks of Communication Science series V
  3. Acknowledgements XI
  4. Contents XIII
  5. 1. Defining the Field 1
  6. 2. A History of Media Ethics: From Application to Theory and Back Again 15
  7. 3. Communication Ethics: Origins and Trajectories 31
  8. 4. Cultural Pluralism and Media Ethics: Theorizing in a Globalized World of Difference 53
  9. 5. Contractualism for Media Ethics 75
  10. 6. Moral Psychology 95
  11. 7. Theorizing the Ambitions, Opportunities, and Limitations of Democratic Dialogue 121
  12. 8. Deontology 139
  13. 9. Consequentialism 159
  14. 10. Virtue Ethics & Media 171
  15. 11. Care Ethics: A Different Voice for Communication and Media Ethics 191
  16. 12. Harm in Journalism 215
  17. 13. Harm in Media Marketing: the Branding of Values 235
  18. 14. Harm and Entertainment 251
  19. 15. Harm in Public Relations 273
  20. 16. Justice and Media Ethics 295
  21. 17. Principled Advocacy 311
  22. 18. Morality in Entertainment 329
  23. 19. Popular Culture and Media 347
  24. 20. Communication Ethics and Globalization 367
  25. 21. Communication Ethics Research: Evolution and Thoughtful Response 391
  26. 22. No Greater Than Who I Actually Am: Virtue Ethics in Digital Life Narratives 407
  27. 23. Web Architecture and Values in the Stack: Exploring the Relationship between Internet Infrastructure and Human Values 425
  28. 24. Communication Technology and Perception 451
  29. 25. Research Directions 469
  30. 26. Theorizing over the Horizon: Ontology in the Global Imaginary 485
  31. 27. Toward an Interpretive Framework: Neuroethical Considerations for Media Ethics 511
  32. 28. Searching for Universals without Making Problematic Imperialistic Assumptions 529
  33. Biographical notes on the contributors 549
  34. Index 553
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