Final answer:
Eric's perspective is best aligned with utilitarianism, which advocates for actions that produce the greatest happiness for the greatest number, including the use of animal research for significant human medical benefits.
Step-by-step explanation:
The moral philosophy that most closely represents Eric's viewpoint that animal research in the pharmaceutical industry is a beneficial endeavor for improving drugs for mankind is utilitarianism. Utilitarianism, as advocated by philosophers like Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, considers the rightness of an action to be determined by its ability to produce the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. In the context of animal research, utilitarianism justifies the use of animals in clinical trials if the outcome leads to significant benefits for humanity, such as the development of life-saving drugs and medical treatments.
It is important to note that utilitarianism also values the humane treatment of animals used in such trials, balancing scientific goals and the interests of human and non-human subjects. Egoism, on the other hand, would support the use of animal research only if it serves an individual's direct self-interest, which is a less communal approach than utilitarianism. Eric's stance, which is focused on the broader human benefits rather than personal gain, aligns more with the principles of utilitarianism.