Which of the following describes the duty ethics approach to morality?

The duty ethics approach to morality is fundamentally concerned with the concept of obligations and duties. This ethical framework posits that the rightness or wrongness of actions stems from whether they fulfill particular obligations. This approach emphasizes the importance of adhering to moral rules and principles that guide behavior, suggesting that individuals have a moral responsibility to act according to these duties regardless of the outcomes of their actions.

For example, within duty ethics, an action like telling the truth is considered morally right because it fulfills the obligation to be honest, irrespective of the potential negative consequences that may arise from disclosing that truth. This anchoring in duty and obligation distinguishes duty ethics from other ethical theories that might prioritize outcomes or personal character traits.

The focus on individual character traits is associated with virtue ethics, while evaluating actions by their consequences pertains to consequentialism. On the other hand, the idea that only rules and regulations matter narrows the approach too much, as duty ethics also considers moral principles that may not strictly be legalistic in nature. Thus, the emphasis on fulfilling obligations captures the essence of duty ethics effectively.