Which ethical approach emphasizes the greatest good for the most people?

Which ethical approach emphasizes the greatest good for the most people?

• A. Utilitarianism
• B. Rights and Duties
• C. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
• D. Ethical Sourcing

Answer: (A)

The main concept tested is evaluating actions by their consequences and aiming to maximize the overall welfare of the greatest number of people. Utilitarianism does exactly this: it judges moral worth by the net balance of happiness and suffering produced by an action, and it selects the option that increases total utility the most. This focus on outcomes and total welfare makes it the best fit for a question about maximizing the greatest good for the most people. In contrast, rights and duties emphasizes respecting intrinsic rights and following moral obligations regardless of outcomes; CSR is about a company's broader responsibilities to society and stakeholders rather than a general rule for choosing actions to maximize overall good; ethical sourcing centers on fair and ethical practices in how goods are produced and procured, not on maximizing collective welfare.

The main concept tested is evaluating actions by their consequences and aiming to maximize the overall welfare of the greatest number of people. Utilitarianism does exactly this: it judges moral worth by the net balance of happiness and suffering produced by an action, and it selects the option that increases total utility the most. This focus on outcomes and total welfare makes it the best fit for a question about maximizing the greatest good for the most people.

In contrast, rights and duties emphasizes respecting intrinsic rights and following moral obligations regardless of outcomes; CSR is about a company's broader responsibilities to society and stakeholders rather than a general rule for choosing actions to maximize overall good; ethical sourcing centers on fair and ethical practices in how goods are produced and procured, not on maximizing collective welfare.