Name two ethical decision-making frameworks described and how they guide choices.

• A. Rights-based ethics (respect fundamental rights) and virtue ethics (character and relationships); apply by duties and character.
• B. Utilitarianism (maximize overall good) and deontological ethics (duty-based); apply by outcomes and universal duties.
• C. Utilitarianism (maximize overall good) and rights-based ethics (respect fundamental rights); apply by evaluating outcomes and duties.
• D. Egoism and cultural relativism; apply by self-interest and social norms.

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is balancing consequences with moral constraints when making ethical choices. Utilitarianism guides decisions by focusing on outcomes: choose the action that maximizes overall good or happiness for the greatest number. Rights-based ethics, on the other hand, emphasizes respecting fundamental rights—such as life, liberty, and autonomy—and constrains actions that would violate those rights, even if the outcome would be better overall.

Using both frameworks together gives a fuller guide to decision-making. You weigh the potential overall benefits and harms (utilitarian lens) while ensuring that key rights are not violated (rights-based lens). This means you don’t just chase the best aggregate result; you also respect essential rights that protect individuals.

For example, consider a policy that could boost profits if it invades customer privacy. A utilitarian view might favor it if the overall benefits seem large, but a rights-based perspective would block it if it violates fundamental privacy rights. The combined approach pushes toward solutions that maximize good without trampling essential rights.

That’s why this pairing is the best answer: it shows how to evaluate outcomes while upholding duties and rights that constrain actions.