alleryStart learning →Under utilitarianism, when is an action morally wrong?
AWhen it breaks a promise made to a friend
BWhen it affects the majority adversely
CWhen it is forbidden by the law of the land
DWhen it produces any loser at all
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. When it affects the majority adversely
1. Utilitarianism asks people to generate the greatest good for the greatest number.
2. It follows that when an action affects the majority adversely, it is morally wrong.
3. Producing losers cannot by itself be the test, because utilitarianism always involves both winners and losers.
4. Broken promises and illegality are the tests used by other approaches, not by this one.
_Source: OpenStax Introduction to Business (CC BY 4.0), Ch 2 "Making Ethical Decisions and Managing a Socially Responsible Business", section 2.1 Understanding Business Ethics_
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