A bit off topic, but I watched DS9 last night on H&I and in the episode, Miles O'Brian kept moving 5 hours into the future for moments at a time. They used this to change the fate of the Station and his own fate. I forgot how often Star Trek tackled existential questions. I also forgot how much I disliked the Romulans. They remind me of the Chinese Communist Party.
The more syllables in a word the more insulting it sounds to the elite to say words they spent all day looking up before they used them.
I will be the first to admit that I had to look up both terms that Guisslapp invoked. As I have gotten older, I have found that people tend to over complicate matter's of conscience in order to justify actions. Myself included. I have started to simplify my motives and actions and rely on things I know to be concrete in nature. Simplification can be boring and there is less to talk about but I sure do sleep better at night.
Good gawd! Watched another episode of DS9 and Dr. Bashir, with Sisko's blessing and cover up, murdered a Federation agent, one of those "31" guys, the secret agency, kind of like the CIA. Sheeesh! folks on DS9 have no morals, ethics, or restraints!
Pretty sure every person that competed in debate in high school is well versed in this classic debate and would think of it in the same words I used.
They might have also thought of the word “utilitarianism”, which is a species of consequentialism, and was usually the preferred ethical paradigm when debating against deontology.
If you aren’t the “thinking” type, you might find that you would prefer a Trump rally.
They are in the middle of a war that has dire consequences for all in the Alpha quadrant. Also they are on the front lines where there is no effective way to defer to the bureaucratic Federation. What people do in foxholes is far different than what they do at their dining table.