What ethical principle is primarily concerned with the consequences of actions?

The ethical principle that is primarily concerned with the consequences of actions is Consequentialism. This approach holds that the moral value of an action is determined by its outcomes or effects. In other words, the rightness or wrongness of an action is assessed based on the results it produces. This principle often leads to a focus on maximizing positive outcomes and minimizing negative ones, making it a fundamentally result-oriented ethical framework.

In contrast, deontological ethics focuses on rules and duties rather than the consequences of actions, emphasizing the importance of following established moral principles regardless of their outcomes. Virtue ethics centers on the character and virtues of the individual performing the action rather than the consequences or rules. Social contract theory revolves around the agreements and rules that a society creates to govern itself, again not primarily based on outcomes.

Therefore, the emphasis on consequences in consequentialism distinctly differentiates it from these other ethical frameworks, making it the correct response.