Which combination describes ethical legalism and utilitarianism in decision making?

• A. The law governs actions, with utilitarian outcomes considered
• B. Rights theory and justice
• C. Egoism and rights
• D. Virtue ethics and pragmatism

Answer: (A)

Ethical legalism centers on following established laws and rules as the guidance for decisions. When you add utilitarianism, you introduce a consideration of outcomes to determine which lawful action produces the greatest overall good. So the combination described—actions governed by the law with utilitarian outcomes considered—captures both the rule-based, compliance-focused aspect and the outcome-oriented evaluation.

The other options shift toward different blends: rights theory and justice focus on rights and fairness rather than rule-based enforcement; egoism and rights centers on self-interest alongside rights; virtue ethics and pragmatism emphasize character and practical effectiveness rather than a rule-first approach with consequential assessment.