In utilitarian ethics, what determines the morality of an action?

• A. The action's adherence to duty
• B. The action's consequences
• C. The actor's intentions
• D. The societal norms

Answer: (B)

In utilitarian ethics, morality is determined by the consequences of an action—the overall balance of happiness and suffering it produces for everyone affected. The right choice is the one that maximizes net utility, meaning the greatest good for the greatest number. This requires forecasting outcomes, weighing how much goodness and how much harm will result, and considering all who are affected, including how intense, how lasting, how certain, and how widespread the effects will be.

This focus on results distinguishes utilitarianism from duty-based approaches, where rightness comes from adhering to rules or obligations, and from theories that prize intention or character. While intentions can influence what we do, utilitarian ethics judges an action by the actual outcomes it yields, aiming to maximize overall well-being.