True/False: Utilitarian theory states that certain actions are right, not because of their result, but because of the inherent nature of the action itself. For example, it is right to tell the truth because being truthful is inherently right.

Enhance your ethical decision-making skills with the BOMI Ethics is Good Business Test. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions with explanations to prepare effectively. Ace your exam with confidence!

Utilitarian theory evaluates morality by the results of an action, not by the action’s inherent nature. The rightness of an act comes from whether it maximizes overall happiness or well-being compared to alternative possibilities. So telling the truth is not deemed right simply because truthfulness is intrinsically good; its moral status depends on the consequences in a given situation. If being truthful leads to the best overall outcome, it’s approved; if it causes more harm than deceit in that context, lying might be considered better from a utilitarian perspective. This focus on outcomes distinguishes utilitarianism from deontological approaches, which assign inherent moral worth to certain actions regardless of consequences. Even within utilitarianism, there are different emphases (act vs. rule), but both bases rightness on outcomes rather than an intrinsic nature of the action itself.