What ethical approach to design emphasizes choosing actions that benefit the greatest number of people?

Utilitarianism is the ethical approach that emphasizes the outcome of actions in terms of their consequences for the greatest number of people. This principle is grounded in the idea that the right action is the one that produces the most overall happiness or benefit when compared to other actions. This method of ethical reasoning evaluates actions based on their results, aiming to maximize positive outcomes and minimize harm for the majority.

For example, in the context of athletic training, a utilitarian perspective might involve making decisions about resource allocation or treatment options based on what will help the largest number of athletes recover and perform at their best. This could mean prioritizing certain interventions that have been shown to be effective for most individuals, thereby enhancing the well-being of the athlete population as a whole.

In contrast, other ethical frameworks, such as formalism, deontological ethics, and virtue ethics, focus on duties, rules, or moral character rather than merely outcomes. Formalism and deontological ethics emphasize adherence to set principles or duties, regardless of the consequences for the greater population, while virtue ethics centers on the character and virtues of the individual making the decision rather than the action's impact on the majority.