consequentialism
Low (Specialized Academic/Term)Formal, Academic, Philosophical
Definition
Meaning
The ethical theory that the morality of an action is determined solely by its consequences.
A class of normative ethical theories holding that the consequences of one's conduct are the ultimate basis for any judgment about the rightness or wrongness of that conduct. It contrasts with deontological ethics, which focuses on duties and rules, and virtue ethics, which focuses on character.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used in contrast to 'deontology' and 'virtue ethics'. Central distinction is between 'act consequentialism' (evaluating each act by its consequences) and 'rule consequentialism' (evaluating rules by their consequences, then following those rules).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical. The term is equally specialized in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral academic term in both regions, though in public discourse it may carry a utilitarian or pragmatic connotation.
Frequency
Virtually identical, confined almost exclusively to academic philosophy, ethics, and related disciplines.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
X's commitment to consequentialismthe debate between consequentialism and Ya consequentialist/ non-consequentialist frameworkconsequentialism holds that...according to consequentialism,Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The ends justify the means (a crude, often misattributed, popular interpretation of consequentialist thinking).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in discussions of corporate ethics or decision-making models, e.g., 'A purely consequentialist approach to quarterly targets can damage long-term brand reputation.'
Academic
Primary context. Found in philosophy, ethics, law, political theory, and applied ethics courses and literature.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Unlikely to be used accurately in general conversation.
Technical
Core term in moral philosophy and normative ethics. Used precisely to classify ethical theories.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The philosopher sought to consequentialise all moral duties, a controversial move.
American English
- Critics argue you cannot simply consequentialize every ethical principle.
adjective
British English
- His consequentialist reasoning led him to support the policy, despite its harsh short-term effects.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Consequentialism is a difficult word about right and wrong.
- In philosophy, consequentialism says a good action has good results.
- Unlike deontology, consequentialism judges actions purely by their outcomes, not by the intentions behind them.
- Sophisticated defences of rule consequentialism attempt to address the standard critiques levied against act-based versions of the theory.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CONSEQUENCES are CENTRAL to CONSEQUENTIALISM. The 'ism' is all about the 'sequel' (what follows).
Conceptual Metaphor
ETHICS IS ACCOUNTING (weighing and summing up outcomes); THE MORAL AGENT IS A CALCULATOR.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as 'консеквенциализм' (direct transliteration). The standard accepted philosophical term in Russian is 'консеквенциализм'.
- Beware of confusing with 'утилитаризм' (utilitarianism), which is a subset of consequentialism.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'consequentialism' to mean 'self-importance' (confusion with 'consequential' as 'important').
- Using it as a synonym for 'pragmatism' in a non-ethical sense.
- Spelling: 'consequencialism' (missing 't').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a major type of consequentialism?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Utilitarianism is a specific type of consequentialism that defines good consequences in terms of happiness or pleasure (utility). Consequentialism is the broader category.
The main alternative is deontology (duty-based ethics), associated with philosophers like Immanuel Kant, which holds that actions are right or wrong based on rules and duties, not consequences.
Classic act consequentialism evaluates the moral worth of an action solely by its actual consequences. Intentions are irrelevant to whether the act was right, though they may be relevant to praising or blaming the agent.
In theory, yes, though most philosophical positions aim for consistency. Someone might adopt a consequentialist framework for cost-benefit business decisions while adhering to deontological principles (like promise-keeping) in personal relationships.
Collections
Part of a collection
Philosophy and Ethics
C1 · 50 words · Philosophical concepts and ethical reasoning.
Philosophical Vocabulary
C2 · 44 words · Technical terms used in academic philosophy.