Question

“colonialism is morally wrong because the greater good of european settlers disproportionately outweighed the greater good of the indigenous people.”
to which theory of ethics is the person who made this statement likely appealing?

a.) egoism

b.) conventionalism

c.) kantian deontology

d.) utilitarianism

Explanation:

• Egoism focuses on self-interest, which does not match the focus on collective "greater good" for two groups.
• Conventionalism ties morality to social norms, which is not referenced here.
• Kantian deontology centers on moral duties and universal rules, not weighing overall good outcomes.
• Utilitarianism evaluates morality by the net balance of overall good (greatest good for the greatest number); the statement critiques colonialism by arguing the good for settlers did not justify the harm/loss of good for Indigenous people, which aligns with utilitarian focus on weighing collective well-being.

Answer:

d.) Utilitarianism