What ethical approach involves sacrificing oneself for the greater good of the group?

Utilitarianism is the ethical approach that focuses on the greatest good for the greatest number. This principle often involves making decisions that may require individuals to sacrifice their own interests or well-being for the benefit of a larger group. The core idea behind utilitarianism is that the moral worth of an action is determined by its contribution to overall happiness or utility. When individuals put the welfare of the group above their personal gain or safety, they align with utilitarian principles, emphasizing collective outcomes over individual interests.

In contrast, deontology emphasizes following moral rules or duties, virtue ethics focuses on the character and virtues of individuals, and relativism posits that moral principles are shaped by cultural or contextual factors. Each of these alternative ethical approaches does not inherently prioritize the group's needs at the expense of the individual in the same way utilitarianism does.