Which ethical framework suggests that the rightness of an action is determined by its outcome for the majority?

Utilitarianism is the ethical framework that focuses on the outcomes of actions, emphasizing the idea that the rightness of an action is determined by the overall benefit it produces for the majority. This approach aims to maximize overall happiness or well-being, often illustrated by the principle of the greatest good for the greatest number. In a clinical context, utilitarianism can guide healthcare professionals in decision-making by evaluating the potential benefits and harms of various interventions and policies.

For instance, when considering various treatment options, a utilitarian perspective would lead the provider to choose the intervention that is expected to yield the most favorable results for the largest segment of the patient population. This method prioritizes collective welfare over individual rights or duties, which distinguishes it from other ethical frameworks.

Other ethical frameworks, such as justice, deontology, and beneficence, focus on different principles. Justice emphasizes fairness and equity, deontology is concerned with the morality of actions based on rules or duties regardless of the consequences, and beneficence entails the obligation to act in the best interest of patients. In contrast, utilitarianism directly evaluates the end results of actions, aiming to create the most positive outcomes for the majority, making it the correct choice for the question.