Considering the Consequences Is More Important Than Following the Rules (10 Marks)

‘Considering consequences is more important than following rules’ Discuss.


When humans are deciding on the right course of action, they naturally consider the consequences of what they’re about to do. This is thought to be because considering consequences allows us to go beyond our personal thoughts, and to think beyond the effects that could not just only happen to ourselves, but to consider the effects of our actions on others.
I agree with the statement that considering consequences of our actions is more important than following rules because firstly, to consider consequences it means using our inner self conscience. Using our inner conscience is the most important thing to me when making a decision. I think this because conscience is greatly linked to morality, and it’s our inner voice, telling us what is right and what is wrong. Christians come to the conclusion that God gave each and every one of us morality, as God is goodness, and without being good, he would cease to be God. Therefore, if someone as powerful and loving as God; surely using something he gave us to consider the consequences of an action, surely must be the best thing to do.
A consequentialist would say that considering consequences is more important than following rules. This is because their decision is based on the possible outcomes, and using this has to be better rules. This is because for example, if someone is suffering from a painful disease and wishes to painlessly take their own life, but they are unable to do so and they ask a family member, the family member is then put into a massive dilemma. Do they follow the rules, or do they go against them and consider the consequences and outcomes instead? In most countries euthanasia is illegal, so going through with it would be breaking the law, but surely using their conscience and situation ethics; killing them would be the most loving thing to do right? If they followed the rules and didn’t go through with it, a person who they...