paraphrase

Consequentialism as the name could suggest, the judgement of one’s action whether it’s right or wrong depends on the consequences.For example, sexual assault ends up being a bad state of an affair, thus it’s wrong. Therefore, consequentialism is in the group of normative ethical theories which holds generally on consequences (Sverdlik, 2019).This implies that, from where a consequentialist stand, a morally right act refers to the one that produces a good outcome.

Regarding the right answer for the 400-pound man in the lifeboat, the consequentialist viewpoint could be to let him die. Consequentialism from its definition has always seemed as too permissive. This is judged on the basis that this action taken is right hence, brings a primary consequence which is good. In this scenario, it means, if this man stays in the lifeboat will lead the rest of the people in the boat into a bigger problem which is most probably all of them die. As a result, this man should be pushed. This because of the 400-pound weight with regard may be-to the restricted capacity of the lifeboat, which it can comfortably carry and move. These actions aim at saving the lives of other people on board, which is then better to lose one person and allow others to survive.

On the other hand, for non consequentialist viewpoint would be to let the man stay in the lifeboat. In non consequentialism, allows one to take a principle that will take ourselves to be able to follow in a perfectly rational way(Sverdlik, 2019). This implies that being rational we need to emphasize on the consistence. Also, it explains that there exists some other kind of actions that are wrong because they lead to a bad consequence. In this case, to push the innocent passenger who is the 400-pound manis a wrong action that would lead to killing, thus let him stay in the boat with the hope that everybody on board would survive. In my personal decision over the situation would be to allow him to stay in the boat. This decision remains unchanged because of the belief and value I have on human life.

Reference

Sverdlik, S. (2019). Kantianism, Consequentialism and Deterrence.