What is a common characteristic of utilitarian ethics?

Utilitarian ethics is characterized by its emphasis on collective happiness, which is the core principle that guides decision-making and moral assessments in this ethical framework. Utilitarianism posits that the best action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or well-being for the greatest number of people. This approach prioritizes outcomes and considers the broader impact of actions on society as a whole, striving for the greatest good.

In contrast, the focus on individual rights seen in some ethical theories, such as deontology, emphasizes obligations to individuals rather than the collective. The strict adherence to rules is more aligned with a categorical framework that values moral principles as absolute, irrespective of consequences, which goes against the utilitarian perspective that evaluates the morality of actions based on their results. Similarly, a rejection of consequences is fundamentally opposed to utilitarian thought, as it is centered precisely on assessing the effects of actions for determining their ethical value. Thus, the correct understanding of utilitarian ethics lies in its collective approach to happiness and well-being.