Which type of approach to ethics involves making decisions that promote the most overall good?

The approach to ethics that focuses on making decisions that promote the greatest overall good is known as utilitarian ethics. This ethical framework evaluates the moral worth of an action based on its consequences, emphasizing the balance of benefits over harm. In utilitarian ethics, the best decision is one that maximizes happiness or well-being for the largest number of people. This principle is often summed up in the phrase "the greatest good for the greatest number," highlighting its consequentialist nature.

Utilitarian ethics contrasts with deontological ethics, which is centered around the adherence to rules or duties regardless of the outcomes. Virtue ethics focuses on the moral character of individuals and the virtues they embody rather than the consequences of their actions. Normative ethics encompasses a broader discussion of what constitutes moral actions without prescribing a specific framework like utilitarianism does.

By focusing on the outcomes and their impact on overall well-being, utilitarian ethics provides a pragmatic approach to ethical decision-making that seeks to foster positive results for society as a whole.