prudentialismn.
/prʊˈdɛnʃl̩ɪz(ə)m/, /prʊˈdɛnʃəlɪz(ə)m/, U.S. /pruˈdɛn(t)ʃəˌlɪz(ə)m/; see also prudential adj., adv., and n. Regard for prudential considerations, rather than for moral principles, ideals, etc.; a code of behaviour based primarily on such considerations. Also occasionally: an instance of this.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > caution > [noun] > prudence > prudential considerations > system based on
prudentialism1835
1835 T. De Quincey in Tait's Edinb. Mag. 2 549 With respect to Paley, and the naked prudentialism of his system, it is true that..Paley disclaims that consequence.
a1866 J. Grote Exam. Utilit. Philos. (1870) ii. 28 I have called utilitarianism..superficial, because..it rests so much on mere prudentialisms.
1898 A. B. Bruce in Expositor July 10 It is better far to have the hero with all his drawbacks than to have nothing in human life that rises above prudentialism, commonplace, and humdrum.
1905 F. G. Peabody Jesus Christ & Christian Char. iv. 119 His [sc. Jesus's] teaching is not of ethical prudentialism, but of ethical idealism.
1969 Listener 27 Mar. 437/2 When military action in Anguilla or Nigeria is discussed in terms of Britain's ‘image’, when the execution of criminals is a matter of chilly calculation for vote-catchers, it is easy to understand Edward Bond's claim that the prevalent morality is ‘opportunist prudentialism’.
1989 Washington Post (Nexis) 26 Aug. a19 Perhaps he should meditate on whether Mapplethorpe's failures and excesses are nobler than the gutless political prudentialism of the Corcoran Gallery.
2003 S. J. Ball Class Strategies & Educ. Market viii. 179 The need to give consideration to the fate of others has been lessened..by the inroads of neo-liberalism, and the concomitant regime of prudentialism.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1835