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ChristianKl comments on Are consequentialism and deontology not even wrong? - Less Wrong Discussion

15 Post author: Kaj_Sotala 02 June 2015 07:49AM

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Comment author: ChristianKl 03 June 2015 09:50:34AM 3 points [-]

I don't like the terms consequentialism and deontology. I don't think using either label helps you to make better decisions for yourself. It's more useful to keep your identity small and have more nuanced beliefs than either of those labels. I'm also doubtful to what extend it makes sense to separate discussion of morals from personal development.

As far as non-Western concepts goes the Buddhist of Karma is interesting. Most Buddhist try to minimize their karma by engaging in actions that would be called "moral" in Western terms. Karma provides a payoff for those actions.

Not all Buddhists try to minimize their Karma. The Bodhisattva vow is about not seeking the minimum of personal karma because that would mean passing on. It would mean to not reincarnate and not be able to teach others. It still includes keeping a pretty low Karma balance and mostly engaging in acts that don't cause Karma but it doesn't mean to engage in no such acts.