Ethicist: An action is wrong if it violates a rule of the society in which the action is performed and that rule promotes the general welfare of people in the society. An action is right if it is required by a rule of the society in which the action is performed and the rule promotes the general welfare of the people in that society.
Question: Which one of the following judgments most closely conforms to the principle cited by the ethicist?
Options:
A. Amelia’s society has a rule against lying. However, she lies anyway in order to protect an innocent person from being harmed. While the rule against lying promotes the general welfare of people in the society, Amelia’s lie is not wrong because she is preventing harm.
B. Jordan lives in a society that requires its members to eat certain ceremonial foods during festivals. Jordan disobeys this rule. Because the rule is not detrimental to the general welfare of people in her society, Jordan’s disobedience is wrong.
C. Elgin obeys a certain rule of his society. Because Elgin knows that this particular rule is detrimental to the general welfare of the people in his society, his obedience is wrong.
D. Dahlia always has a cup of coffee before getting dressed in the morning. Dahlia’s action is right because it does not violate any rule of the society in which she lives.
E. Edward’s society requires children to take care of their aged parents. Edward’s taking care of his aged parents is the right thing for him to do because the rule requiring this action promotes the general welfare of people in the society.
Answer: E