Final answer:
Principles can sometimes override consequences in ethical decision-making as they serve as fundamental truths guiding actions and behavior, even when the outcome might be negative.
Step-by-step explanation:
When comparing and weighing alternatives for ethical decision-making, considerations can sometimes override consequences. Among the provided choices, Principles are the ones that can override the outcomes of a decision. A principle is a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning. These principles come from moral deliberation and the application of ethical norms, such as the principle 'Do not use people merely as a means to an end', which can guide decisions regardless of the consequences that might follow.
While analyzing the morality of a specific action, one has to apply diverse perspectives, and may adhere to certain ethical principles that provide a base for actions and deliberations. Even when faced with potential negative consequences, a strong adherence to such principles can lead an individual or a group to maintain a moral stance based on ethical convictions rather than apparent outcomes. This nuanced process of reflection upon ethical principles and their application is crucial to applied ethics, as well as to philosophers' broader endeavor to understand moral theory and ethical principles.