Final answer:
Ethical actions that seek to provide the most good or least harm and account for their distribution most closely align with the philosophy of utilitarianism. Unlike deontological ethics, which focuses on duty and rules, or virtue ethics, which centers on character, utilitarianism considers the consequences and their effects on the greatest number. Hence, utilitarianism (option C) is the most suitable answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asked by the student addresses the concept of an ethical action, one that not only aims for the greatest good or least harm but also considers how these consequences are distributed among individuals or groups. This concept can be best understood within the context of normative ethics, which is a field of ethical study that examines how moral standards are defined and what they prescribe as right behaviour.
Utilitarianism is the moral framework that places emphasis on the outcome or consequences of an action to determine its moral rightness. It asserts that the ethical action is one that produces the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people. This view is closely associated with philosophers such as Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, who developed it further to consider individual rights and societal ramifications.
In contrast, deontological ethics focuses on adherence to moral duties or rules, arguing that actions are right if they conform to these principles, regardless of the consequences. Prominent deontologists like Immanuel Kant suggest that actions must be judged based on whether they could be applied as universal laws, applicable to all rational beings.
Virtue ethics, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of character and virtues in determining ethical behaviour. It asserts that morally right actions are an expression of a virtuous character, and through the cultivation of virtues, individuals can lead ethically good lives.
The principle that ethical actions should provide the most good or least harm and consider the distribution of consequences aligns most closely with the philosophy of utilitarianism.