Final answer:
Act utilitarianism determines the morality of actions by assessing whether they lead to good or bad results, specifically by maximizing happiness for the greatest number. It applies the greatest happiness principle on a case-by-case basis, rather than following general rules.
Step-by-step explanation:
Act Utilitarianism and Its Focus
When examining act utilitarianism, it becomes evident that its primary concern is to evaluate individual actions based on their consequences. In this approach, the rightness of an action is determined by assessing whether it leads to good or bad results, specifically whether it maximizes happiness or pleasure for the greatest number of people. Unlike rule utilitarianism which focuses on the adherence to general rules that typically promote the greatest good, act utilitarianism is applied on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the specific details and potential outcomes of each individual situation. Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is that act utilitarianism focuses on specific actions and determining whether they typically lead to good or bad results.
Utilitarianism focuses on the principle that an action's moral worth is determined by its contribution to overall utility, which is often equated with happiness or pleasure. Hence, act utilitarians believe that in any given scenario, one must evaluate the potential consequences and strive to choose an action that would yield the highest net benefit in terms of happiness or pleasure for all affected by it.