consequentialism

noun

con·​se·​quen·​tial·​ism ˌkän(t)-sə-ˈkwen(t)-shə-ˌli-zəm 

: the theory that the value and especially the moral value of an act should be judged by the value of its consequences

consequentialist

ˌkän(t)-sə-ˈkwen(t)-shə-ˌlist 

adjective or noun

Examples of consequentialism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And his ethical philosophy remained focused on suffering, a good fit for British utilitarian consequentialism, an intellectual tradition in which promoting pleasure and reducing pain are seen as the primary mandates of ethics. — Oliver Traldi, Washington Post, 4 May 2023

Moreover, while Robinson is willing to come right out and embrace judicial consequentialism, the entirety of the Democratic Caucus in the Senate is willing to do so implicitly. — Isaac Schorr, National Review, 29 Sep. 2020

In their pursuit of survival, men and women employ Machiavellian game theory and adopt a bleak consequentialism. — Jiayang Fan, The New Yorker, 17 June 2019

In moral philosophy, this approach, distinct from virtue ethics, is called consequentialism. — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 30 Mar. 2018

By the yardstick of consequentialism and the Declaration of Helsinki, the super-soldier experiment and Steve Rogers' enlistment in the military were ethical. — Kyle Munkittrick, Discover Magazine, 11 June 2011

Word History

Etymology

consequential + -ism

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for consequentialism

• absolutism
• adventurism
• aestheticism
• africanism
• agnosticism
• alcoholism
• anachronism
• anglicanism
• antagonism
• arianism
• asceticism
• astigmatism