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
Examples of consequentialism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Trolley Problem is a thought experiment in ethics that presents a moral dilemma, often used to explore the principles of consequentialism and deontology.
—
Reece Rogers, WIRED, 3 Mar. 2024
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
The second avenue is one of consequentialism.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 24 Mar. 2011
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
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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Reece Rogers, WIRED, 3 Mar. 2024
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
The second avenue is one of consequentialism.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 24 Mar. 2011
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
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
Dictionary Entries Near consequentialism
Cite this Entry
“Consequentialism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consequentialism. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share