ABSTRACT
The idea of moral satisficing opens up some new possibilities for consequentialism and indicates an area of flexibility within common-sense morality as well. The idea that morality consists of a code, system, or whatever for guiding of action can also be seen in the widespread assumption that moral thinking is a form of practical thinking, that moral principles are invariably practical. Of course, some religious traditions preach a total pacifism that effectively denies the moral legitimacy of killing in self-defence, and injunctions against self-defence presumably can at least partially inhibit the self-defensive behaviour of some individuals. Consider the contrast with other cases. One may, through promising, incur an obligation to do so something, but later learn that because of unexpected alterations of circumstances, the act one had promised to perform would cause major injury to the promisee. It should be added, however, that even non-practical common-sense (moral) principles of the sort we have been discussing may have various practical implications.
