Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD) Practice Test

What belief does the statement "the ends always justifies the means" represent?

1. Utilitarianism

2. Deontology

3. Consequentialism

4. Virtue Ethics

The correct answer is: Consequentialism

The statement "the ends always justify the means" is fundamentally aligned with the principles of consequentialism. This ethical theory evaluates the morality of an action based on the outcomes it produces rather than the actions themselves. Within this framework, the rightness or wrongness of an action is determined by the consequences that result from it; if the end result is positive or beneficial, then the means employed to achieve that result are considered acceptable, regardless of any potential ethical concerns surrounding those means. For instance, in practical application, a consequentialist might argue that performing a deceptive act is permissible if it ultimately leads to a greater good or prevents harm. This perspective contrasts with other ethical theories, such as deontology, which focuses on adhering to rules and duties, or virtue ethics, which emphasizes the character and intentions of the moral agent rather than the outcomes of their actions. Utilitarianism, while similar to consequentialism, places a specific emphasis on maximizing happiness or utility, but both concepts share the core belief in evaluating the moral worth of actions based on their consequences.