Which ethical principle is described as choosing actions that do the most good for the greatest number?

• A. Deontological Principle
• B. Rights-Based Principle
• C. Virtue Ethics
• D. Utilitarian Principle

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is utilitarianism, which judges actions by their outcomes and aims to maximize overall welfare. It asks you to choose the action that produces the most good for the greatest number of people, weighing benefits and harms to promote the largest net positive impact. This contrasts with rules-based or rights-focused approaches: deontological thinking emphasizes following duties or rules regardless of the result; rights-based ethics centers on respecting individual rights; virtue ethics focuses on cultivating virtuous character. A practical takeaway is that utilitarian reasoning looks at consequences for total well-being, not at adherence to rules or the treatment of individuals in isolation. It’s a powerful, straightforward decision rule, but it can raise objections when maximizing total good risks infringing on minority rights or when the measurement of “good” is unclear.