In ethics, which approach focuses primarily on the consequences of actions?

Utilitarianism is an ethical framework that centers on the outcomes and consequences of actions. Its core principle is to evaluate the morality of an action based on its ability to produce the greatest good for the greatest number of people. This consequentialist approach emphasizes that the rightness or wrongness of an act depends not on the act itself or the intentions behind it but on the results it yields.

For instance, when faced with a moral dilemma, a utilitarian will consider which action will lead to the most favorable results for the majority, prioritizing overall well-being. This stands in contrast to other ethical approaches, such as deontology, which focuses on adherence to rules or duties regardless of consequences, virtue ethics, which emphasizes character and the cultivation of virtues, and rights-based ethics, which centers on the protection of individual rights. By prioritizing outcomes, utilitarianism provides a straightforward decision-making process based on maximizing overall happiness and minimizing suffering.