Ethics and public service

The Relevance of Consequentialism in Decision-Making
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The Relevance of Consequentialism in Decision-Making
Consequentialism refers to the philosophy that holds the view that results of an action justify the means. Proponents of this school of thought postulate that the judgment of actions ought to rely on the consequences of the action and not the means by which the same was achieved. Ideally, if the results of a particular action turn out to benefit the broader society, then no one ought to question the means even if it means a few people suffering the consequences for the majority to enjoy.
I will terminate the water services as requested by the regulatory authority. The basis for terminating the water services to the local farming community hinges on the premise that the action will save the habitat that serves the broader population. Ideally, it is better for a small farming population to suffer from loss of water than the entire community suffering the consequences of a destroyed habitat. The habitat serves a larger population and supports other ecological functions in the environment, and therefore in the spirit of attaining the greater good, I will have to shut down the water supply to the local farming community. Sacrificing a few for the common good of the majority (Richter, 2010).
The consequences of my action will be good concerning the broader population of humanity. Many people and animals depend on the habitat for their survival and preserving the same for the larger group remain the only logical step to take.

The habitat serves the current and the future population, and therefore one has all the reasons to protect it even if it means at the expense of a few people suffering the consequences of my action. Richter (2010) asserts that the safety of the larger population comes before the comfort of a minority group.
References
Richter, D. (2010). Anscombe’s Moral Philosophy. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books.