Which ethical model evaluates actions by their consequences?

• A. Deontology
• B. Consequentialism
• C. Virtue Ethics
• D. Relativism

Answer: (B)

Evaluating actions by their consequences is a hallmark of consequentialism. This ethical approach judges whether an action is right or wrong based on the outcomes it produces, often aiming to maximize positive results. A well-known form of this view is utilitarianism, which looks for the greatest good for the greatest number.

Deontology, in contrast, focuses on duties, rules, and the intention behind an act rather than its outcomes. Virtue ethics centers on the character and virtues of the person performing the act rather than the specific action or its consequences. Relativism holds that moral judgments depend on cultural norms or individual perspectives rather than universal outcomes.

So, when the question asks for the model that evaluates actions by their consequences, the best fit is consequentialism because its core criterion is the results of the action, not the adherence to rules or the actor’s character or cultural context.