It seems to me that this distinction between ethical theory and its practical applications doesnβt apply neatly to rule utilitarianism. That is because it already has practical considerations interwoven in it, as the idea is to act in a way that maximizes utility as a (practical) rule. Do you agree?
Not really. Rule consequentialism as an ethical theory has various (implausible) implications about which acts are objectively right or wrong, that can be assessed independently of the question of whether it would be a good thing for (some, many, or all) people to use a rule-based decision procedure.
It seems to me that this distinction between ethical theory and its practical applications doesnβt apply neatly to rule utilitarianism. That is because it already has practical considerations interwoven in it, as the idea is to act in a way that maximizes utility as a (practical) rule. Do you agree?
Not really. Rule consequentialism as an ethical theory has various (implausible) implications about which acts are objectively right or wrong, that can be assessed independently of the question of whether it would be a good thing for (some, many, or all) people to use a rule-based decision procedure.