Agency-consequentialism
Agency-consequentialism is an ethical framework developed by anarchist writer and activist William Gillis.[1] It is a variant of consequentialism, a type of moral theory that holds that the rightness or wrongness of an action should be judged based on its consequences. Agency-consequentialism differs from traditional forms of consequentialism in that it places a particular emphasis on increasing the agency of all actors, including self, other people, and to an extent non-human beings.
Agency refers to the capacity of an individual or group to act independently and make decisions that affect their own lives and the lives of others. According to Gillis, increasing the agency of all actors is a positive value in and of itself, and should be taken into account when considering the consequences of an action.[2]
The history of consequentialism can be traced back to ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus, who argued that the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain were the ultimate goals of human action.[3] However, it was not until the 18th and 19th centuries that the term "consequentialism" was coined and the theory was developed in more detail. Utilitarianism, a form of consequentialism developed by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, holds that the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people should be the guiding principle for ethical decision-making.
In terms of its relationship to anarchism, agency-consequentialism aligns with the anarchist belief in the importance of individual freedom and autonomy.[4] Anarchism is a political philosophy that advocates for the abolition of all forms of government and the creation of a society based on voluntary cooperation and mutual aid. Agency-consequentialism is consistent with this goal in that it seeks to increase the ability of individuals and communities to make decisions and act independently, rather than being subject to the dictates of a centralized authority. This includes fostering a dynamic environment in which people are empowered to develop their material, ethical, and intellectual capacities.[5]
Living with agency-consequentialism as an ethical framework would involve considering the impact of one's actions on the ability of oneself and others to act independently and make decisions that affect their own lives. This could involve striving to empower oneself and others through education, communication, and collaboration, rather than seeking to control or dominate. It might also involve considering the impact of one's actions on the ability of non-human beings to act and exist freely, such as by considering the social or ecological impacts of one's consumption and production choices.
Expanding agency, as envisioned by the ethical framework of agency-consequentialism, involves increasing the capacity of individuals and groups to act independently and make decisions that affect their own lives and the lives of others. This can take many forms, including increasing access to resources, education, and opportunities, and reducing barriers to decision-making and action. Expanding agency can lead to increased well-being, satisfaction, and happiness for individuals, as well as more equitable and just societies. However, it is important to consider the potential consequences of expanding agency on all actors and to work towards solutions that ensure increasing the agency of all actors in a mutually beneficial manner.
Practicing agency-consequentialism in situations with structural power dynamics may be challenging, as individual actors may not have complete control over the circumstances in which they find themselves. However, it is still possible to make decisions and take actions that are consistent with the principles of agency-consequentialism, even in these types of scenarios.
For example, in a situation where an individual is an employer, they could consider the impact of their decisions on the ability of their employees to act independently and make decisions that affect their own lives. This might involve providing opportunities for participation in decision-making, rather than simply taking a dictatorial approach. It could also involve ensuring that employees have access to the resources and support they need to develop their own capacities and pursue their own life goals.
Similarly, in a romantic partnership, an individual could practice agency-consequentialism by being mindful of the impact of their actions on the ability of their partner to act independently and make decisions that affect their own lives. This might involve being open to negotiation and compromise, rather than seeking to dominate or control the relationship. It would surely involve actively supporting and empowering the partner to develop their own capacities and pursue their own self-actualization.
Ultimately, agency-consequentialism is a nuanced and sophisticated ethical framework that combines elements of traditional consequentialism with a focus on increasing the agency of all actors. It is a valuable contribution to the field of moral philosophy and has important implications for political theory, particularly within the context of anarchism.
References
- ↑ "Human Iterations". humaniterations.net. Retrieved 2022-12-24.
- ↑ @rechelon. "If your freedom IS my freedom, if we can only coherently speak of maximizing overall possibility at the end of the day, then domination is irrational. But if your freedom is merely *instrumental* to my freedom, then there can be exceptions where domination is in my interest" (Tweet). Retrieved 2022-12-24 – via Twitter. Missing or empty |date= (help)
- ↑ Konstan, David (2022), Zalta, Edward N.; Nodelman, Uri, eds., "Epicurus", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2022 ed.), Metaphysics Research Lab, Stanford University, retrieved 2022-12-24
- ↑ @rechelon. "To err on the side of ethical caution I ended up going months without cracking my vocal cords or communicating basically at all while I searched for a solution. After much work & some dead ends I eventually built and spent a longtime checking an agency consequentialism approach" (Tweet). Retrieved 2022-12-24 – via Twitter. Missing or empty |date= (help)
- ↑ "An Anarchist Programme". The Anarchist Library. Retrieved 2022-12-24.
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