Editing Teleology (section)

=== Consequentialism ===
{{Main|Consequentialism}}

The broad spectrum of [[Consequentialism|''consequentialist'' ethics]]—of which [[utilitarianism]] is a well-known example—focuses on the result or consequences, with such principles as [[John Stuart Mill]]'s 'principle of utility': "the greatest good for the greatest number". This principle is thus teleological, though in a broader sense than is elsewhere understood in philosophy.

In the classical notion, teleology is grounded in the inherent nature of things themselves, whereas in ''consequentialism'', teleology is imposed on nature from outside by the human will. Consequentialist theories justify inherently what most people would call evil acts by their desirable outcomes, if the good of the outcome outweighs the bad of the act. So, for example, a consequentialist theory would say it was acceptable to kill one person in order to save two or more other people. These theories may be summarized by the maxim "{{Wikt-lang|en|the end justifies the means}}."