In utilitarianism, which concept requires that a rule used in decision-making generalizes to produce positive results across a wide variety of situations?

In utilitarianism, which concept requires that a rule used in decision-making generalizes to produce positive results across a wide variety of situations?

• A. Principles of utility
• B. Autonomy
• C. Law
• D. Protocol

Answer: (A)

The main concept being tested is that a rule used in decision-making should generalize to produce positive results across a wide variety of situations. This is the idea behind the principle of utility in utilitarianism, especially in its rule-utilitarian form: a rule is right if, when generally followed, it leads to the greatest overall happiness. The emphasis is on rules that work well across many different contexts, providing beneficial outcomes broadly rather than just in isolated cases. Autonomy refers to self-rule and individual rights, law to binding rules created by a system, and protocol to prescribed procedures. None of these center on creating broad, positive consequences across diverse situations in the way the principle of utility does, so the best fit is the principle of utility.

The main concept being tested is that a rule used in decision-making should generalize to produce positive results across a wide variety of situations. This is the idea behind the principle of utility in utilitarianism, especially in its rule-utilitarian form: a rule is right if, when generally followed, it leads to the greatest overall happiness. The emphasis is on rules that work well across many different contexts, providing beneficial outcomes broadly rather than just in isolated cases. Autonomy refers to self-rule and individual rights, law to binding rules created by a system, and protocol to prescribed procedures. None of these center on creating broad, positive consequences across diverse situations in the way the principle of utility does, so the best fit is the principle of utility.