The Consequentialist And Egosm

Consequentialism is the moral theory that an act is good if its outcomes are good, and and action is bad to take it its consequences are harmful to people. Egoists are considered consequentialists, and of course I want outcomes to be beneficial, but self-interest is an excellent moral motive, moreso usually that acting out of other-interest.

Deontology is the moral theory that an action is morally good if it promote right and not wrong under the moral code in effect. If the act promotes what is wrong or violates said moral code, then it is a bad act. Kant would add that the agent must possess a good will, and that doing what is right and good in compliance with moral code is his duty and his ethical obligation.

I no problem with deontology. A moral agent should obey natural law, possess a good will and select such actions as bring him into compliance with natural law. He should operate from the right moral motive.

If it is natural law that God is a self-actualized Individual, then the law is that each person is to self-realize as a life choice in obedience to what God has decreed is the most desirable way for each person to live.

The third major ethical theory on the American philosophical stage is virtue ethics. Such an ethicist would describe an action selected as virtuous or good if the doer's moral character is virtuous, and he acts in ways consistent with remaining virtuous or becoming more virtuous. If he acted badly, his actions selections would be unworthy of being considered actions that a virtuous person will commit.

As an egoist, I would like each of us to pursue our enlightened self-interest as maverizers. We do want to worry about consequences, and obeying moral law, and to develop sterling ethical character, and these need careful blending in emphasis for the self-realizing agent.

Acting moderate is the universal, natural law that advises each agent to blend these opposing moral theories. Obeying the law of moderation is one's duty, and predictably consequences will be favorable as the spread of moderate action in the universe is a will for all humans. The virtuous doer is moderate, and his will is good, and his character is admirable.