Friendship in the context of a consequentialist life

Article Abstract:

Neera Badhwar Kapur has argued that consequentialist motivations are incompatible with friendship, because friends are valued for their own sakes, not as means to an end. Her claim is undefended, and the discussion betrays a pessimism about the ability of individuals to contribute to positive social change. Kapur suggests that a consequentialist would have to give up a friendship that conflicted with a society's religious intolerance, but this is a very limited view of the choices. The consequentialist views friendship within the context of a life devoted to contributing to a better future.

Social aspects, Napur, Neera Badhwar

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Indirect consequentialism, friendship, and the problem of alienation

Article Abstract:

Indirect consequentialism does not succeed in overcoming the problem that friendship poses for consequentialism. The consequentialist concern for maximizing the good is incompatible with friendship because the consequentialist must be prepared to abandon a friendship in order to maximize the good. Indirect consequentialism attempts to handle the problem by holding maximization of the good as a regulative ideal. However, this strategy is inadequate because it does not correctly identify the source of the problem.

Alienation (Philosophy), Alienation

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Can an indirect consequentialist be a real friend?

Article Abstract:

Dean Cocking and Justin Oakley's article titled 'Indirect Consequentialism, Friendship, and the Problem of Alienation,' is flawed as regards its criticism of Peter Railton's concept of indirect consequentialism. Their interpretation of Railton's 'counterfactual condition' failed to illustrate how the nature of the consequentialist psyche subsequently results to alienation in personal relationships.

Analysis, Cocking, Dean, Oakley, Justin, Railton, Peter

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