National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level 2 (NCAC II) Practice Exam Exam

What type of ethics addresses the question of what one should do?

1. Principal ethics

2. Deontological ethics

3. Utilitarian ethics

4. Virtue ethics

The correct answer is: Principal ethics

Principal ethics focuses on the application of moral principles to guide decision-making regarding actions and behaviors. This ethical framework emphasizes duties and rules that an individual should follow. By addressing the question of what one should do, principal ethics provides a pathway for making ethical choices based on established guidelines and standards. In contrast, other ethical theories approach this question differently. Deontological ethics also considers what one should do but is more focused on the morality of the actions themselves rather than the application of principles. Utilitarian ethics evaluates actions based on their consequences and aims to maximize overall happiness or utility, which can shift the focus away from prescribed duties. Virtue ethics emphasizes the character of the moral agent rather than specific actions, concentrating on what kind of person one should be instead of what one should do. Each of these approaches offers a distinct perspective on ethical considerations, but principal ethics directly addresses the actions that individuals ought to take.