ABSTRACT
Some philosophers have contested that a moral act is one that uses ethical means without consideration of the consequences, or ends. All consequential theories contend that the moral rightness of an action can be determined by looking at its consequences. Egoism contends that an act is moral when it promotes an individual's best long-term interests. All egoists are compelled to look out for themselves unless forced to do otherwise. Obviously, the interests of others must be considered as well as the likely consequences of our actions on these other parties. The rightness or wrongness of any action can be judged entirely in terms of its consequences. Every time you reference a law, a rule, a code, or a guideline, you are using duty-based ethical theory to bolster your position. Most laws, codes, policies, and regulations are the result of duty-based ethical thinking: generally the result of people coming together to make guidelines by which to govern their own actions.
