consequentialism

Meaning

Noun

• The ethical study of morals, duties and rights with an approach that focuses consequences of a particular action or cause.
• 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.

Related

Narrower meaning words

• utilitarianism

Origin

• consequential + -ism, .