Final answer:
The rights-based approach to ethical decision-making maintains that the best moral decisions are those that respect and preserve the rights of the individuals affected. It stands distinct from utilitarianism, which focuses on outcomes, and deontological ethics, which obliges the adherence to moral duties or rules.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Rights-Based Approach to Ethical Decision-Making
The ethical concept that moral decisions are those that best maintain the rights of those affected by them is known as the c) Rights-based approach. This approach is one of the three main frameworks in normative ethics, the other two being consequentialist (utilitarianism) and deontological (duty-based ethics). In contrast to utilitarianism, which judges actions by their consequences and the happiness they produce, and deontological ethics, which focuses on following moral rules or duties, the rights-based approach prioritizes the rights and liberties of individuals involved in a situation.
Throughout history, philosophers such as John Locke and Immanuel Kant have influenced our understanding of human rights and the importance of treating individuals as ends in themselves. The rights-based approach is grounded in the belief that all individuals possess certain fundamental rights that must be respected and protected in moral decision-making. This approach stands in support of individual autonomy and human dignity, guiding ethical practices to ensure actions are aligned with upholding these essential rights.