How does rule utilitarianism define a morally right act?

How does rule utilitarianism define a morally right act?

• A. An act is morally right if it produces the best consequences.
• B. An act is morally right if it conforms to a rule whose acceptance leads to the best consequences.
• C. Moral rules are irrelevant to morality.
• D. All rules are equally acceptable in all situations.

Answer: (B)

Rule utilitarianism defines a morally right act as one that follows a rule whose general adoption would maximize overall good. The key idea is not judging the single act by its immediate outcome, but judging the rule itself by the consequences of applying that rule broadly. If everyone followed a rule and that widespread practice led to the best consequences, then acting in line with that rule is morally right. This explains the shift from evaluating individual acts to evaluating the usefulness of rules as guides for action, aiming for predictable, fair, and cooperative behavior that promotes the greater good. This fits because the other views mix in different ideas: judging rightness by the act’s own consequences is act utilitarianism; saying rules are irrelevant contradicts the very premise of rule-based ethics; and saying all rules are equally acceptable ignores choosing rules based on which ones maximize utility.

Rule utilitarianism defines a morally right act as one that follows a rule whose general adoption would maximize overall good. The key idea is not judging the single act by its immediate outcome, but judging the rule itself by the consequences of applying that rule broadly. If everyone followed a rule and that widespread practice led to the best consequences, then acting in line with that rule is morally right. This explains the shift from evaluating individual acts to evaluating the usefulness of rules as guides for action, aiming for predictable, fair, and cooperative behavior that promotes the greater good.

This fits because the other views mix in different ideas: judging rightness by the act’s own consequences is act utilitarianism; saying rules are irrelevant contradicts the very premise of rule-based ethics; and saying all rules are equally acceptable ignores choosing rules based on which ones maximize utility.