Final answer:
Utilitarianism is the ethical concept that suggests that moral actions are those that produce the greatest good for the greatest number. This approach is grounded in consequentialism and aims to maximize happiness or general welfare.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ethical concept that espouses the principle that moral behaviors should produce the greatest good for the greatest number of people is known as Utilitarianism. This approach, a form of consequentialism, was first advocated by Jeremy Bentham and later expanded by John Stuart Mill. According to this theory, the morality of an action is determined by its outcome, specifically, whether it maximizes happiness or general welfare across the most individuals possible. Utilitarianism implements a method of ethical decision-making by considering the effects of an action on the happiness of all those affected, and assumes that each person's well-being is of equal value. Thus, it guides individuals to choose options that maximize overall happiness or interest satisfaction.
In responding to a moral dilemma, a utilitarian will devise a method to estimate the impact on happiness for all individuals involved, which involves quantifying and comparing the consequences of various actions. This is done to ensure that the chosen action aligns with the principle of utility, promoting the maximum possible good. The assumption underlying this method is that all individuals' happiness can be weighed equally and that the collective well-being takes precedence over individual interests when they are in conflict.