consequentialism
nounUK /ˌkɒn(t)sɪˈkwɛnʃəlɪzəm/ · US /ˌkɑn(t)sɪˈkwɛnʃəlɪzəm/
Etymology From consequential + -ism, coined by British analytic philosopher G. E. M. Anscombe in 1958.
1
Ethics, Human sciences, Philosophy, Sciences The ethical study of morals, duties and rights with an approach that focuses consequences of a particular action or cause.
2
Ethics, Human sciences, Philosophy, Sciences The belief that consequences form the basis for any valid moral judgment about an action. Thus, from a consequentialist standpoint, a morally right action is one that produces a good outcome, or consequence.
- Derived terms
- nonconsequentialism
- Related terms
- deontology, virtue ethics, the end justifies the means
- Hyponyms
- utilitarianism