Ethical formalism is represented by which concept?

Ethical formalism is represented by which concept?

• A. Doing one's duty
• B. Maximizing outcome
• C. Relativism
• D. Consequentialism

Answer: (A)

Ethical formalism is about acting from duty and following universal moral rules rather than aiming for the best results. In this view, morality comes from whether an action aligns with a rule that could be willed for everyone to follow; you do the right thing because it is the dutiful thing to do, not because it would produce good outcomes. So doing one’s duty best captures this concept, since it emphasizes adherence to moral law over consequences. This differs from choosing actions to maximize outcomes (consequences matter there), and from relativism or other theories that base morality on varying standards or goals.

Ethical formalism is about acting from duty and following universal moral rules rather than aiming for the best results. In this view, morality comes from whether an action aligns with a rule that could be willed for everyone to follow; you do the right thing because it is the dutiful thing to do, not because it would produce good outcomes. So doing one’s duty best captures this concept, since it emphasizes adherence to moral law over consequences. This differs from choosing actions to maximize outcomes (consequences matter there), and from relativism or other theories that base morality on varying standards or goals.