SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/cadet-utilitarian-results-not-motives
When judging a heroic act, what do utilitarians care about most?
The result, not the hero's motives.
- The person's motives
- The result of the act ✔
- Whether a rule was followed
Why: For utilitarians, only the outcome counts: how much happiness the act produced. Critics say this misses something, because a hero's selfless motives are what make them admirable.
Huh, didn't know that: Critics also say happiness scores are just guesses, so the math is too subjective.
Why did the utilitarian skip reading the instructions? He only cares how it turns out.
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References
Answer: The result of the act. For utilitarians, only the outcome counts: how much happiness the act produced. Critics say this misses something, because a hero's selfless motives are what make them admirable.
- Learn to Lead, Volume 3: Indirect Leadership, chapter 9 (Civil Air Patrol) www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/L2LVolume_3__LOW_FINAL_4_MAY_13CC68236BDFE.pdf
They are not concerned with motives. All that matters to them is the result.
Checked 2026-10-10.
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