Which form of ethical reasoning evaluates actions based on the consequences if universally applied?

The correct answer is Kantian ethics. This form of ethical reasoning, developed by philosopher Immanuel Kant, focuses on the principle of universality. Kantian ethics asserts that an action is morally right if it can be universally applied – meaning that if everyone performed the action, it would lead to a positive outcome.

This concept highlights the importance of intention and adherence to moral duties rather than just looking at the consequences. In this framework, what makes an action righteous is that it aligns with a universalizable principle, rather than the potential good or harm that results from that action.

Utilitarianism, for instance, evaluates actions based on their overall consequences and aims to maximize happiness for the greatest number of people, which deviates from the Kantian focus on duty and universality. Distributive justice pertains to the fairness of the allocation of resources and is less about the moral reasoning of actions themselves. Situational ethics emphasizes the context of actions rather than adhering to universal principles, which again differentiates it from Kant's approach. This context clarifies why Kantian ethics is the correct answer, emphasizing the universality of moral principles in decision-making.