Final answer:
Consequentialism is a moral theory that determines the rightness of actions based on their outcomes, aiming for the greatest good for the greatest number. It is contrasted with deontological ethics, focusing on duties, and virtue ethics which focuses on moral character.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process orientation perspective of ethics referred to in the question is consequentialism. This moral theory assesses the moral rightness of an action based on its outcomes or consequences. Consequentialists argue that actions are morally correct if they result in the greatest amount of good, such as happiness or general welfare, for the greatest number of people. This contrasts with deontological ethics, which is based on the adherence to duties or rules, and virtue ethics, which emphasizes the cultivation of moral character and virtues to lead an ethical life.
The concept of consequentialism is linked to utilitarianism, a type of consequentialism articulated by philosophers like John Stuart Mill, which specifically holds that the best action is the one that maximizes utility. However, consequentialism is not without its critics. Pluralists like Sir William David Ross suggest that any moral theory that reduces ethics to a single principle is too simplistic and fails to account for the complexities of moral reality.