Rights-based ethics in business primarily emphasizes which of the following?

• A. Maximizing overall happiness irrespective of rights.
• B. Respecting fundamental rights of individuals.
• C. Ignoring duties in favor of outcomes.
• D. Profits above all else.

Answer: (B)

Rights-based ethics in business centers on respecting the fundamental rights of individuals in all decisions. It holds that people must be treated as ends in themselves and that basic rights—such as safety, privacy, fair treatment, and freedom from discrimination—should not be violated for any gain. This focus explains why the emphasis is on protecting rights rather than chasing higher overall happiness or profits, and why actions that ignore duties in favor of outcomes don’t fit. In practice, it means choices that safeguard individual rights even if other options might seem to yield greater short-term benefits.