Final answer:
A rules-based ethical approach aligns with deontological ethics, focusing on adherence to duties and moral rules, such as Kant's categorical imperative, rather than outcomes or character.
Step-by-step explanation:
A rules-based approach to ethics is typically considered to align with deontological ethical theory. Deontological ethics, advocated by philosophers like Immanuel Kant, focuses on duties and rules to determine the rightness of an action rather than the consequences or character. Kant's formulation of the categorical imperative serves as a foundation for this approach, requiring that actions comply with universal moral laws, such as 'always tell the truth'. This differs from consequentialism, which assesses the moral worth of an action based on the outcome, and virtue ethics, which centers on cultivating good character traits.
In contrast to the strictly rule-following perspective of deontology, pluralists like W.D. Ross suggest that duties can be contextual and not absolute. Virtue ethics, on the other hand, focuses on the qualities of the moral agent and the importance of developing virtues to lead a morally good life. The deontological approach often contrasts with both consequentialism and virtue ethics, emphasizing the universality and the imperative nature of moral rules.