# consequentialism

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˌkɒn(t)sɪˈkwɛnʃəlɪzəm/

## Definitions
1. The ethical study of morals, duties and rights with an approach that focuses consequences of a particular action or cause.
2. 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.

## Etymology
From consequential + -ism, coined by British analytic philosopher G. E. M. Anscombe in 1958.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/consequentialism