Which ethical principle involves sacrificing oneself for the greater good?

Utilitarianism is an ethical principle that centers on the idea of maximizing overall happiness or well-being and minimizing suffering for the greatest number of people. This approach often involves evaluating the consequences of actions and making decisions based on their potential impact on the collective good. Sacrificing oneself for the greater good embodies the essence of utilitarianism, as it suggests that an individual may forego personal benefit or even endure hardship for the sake of enhancing the well-being of others.

In utilitarian ethics, the moral worth of an action is determined by its outcome; thus, if one's sacrifice leads to a significantly positive effect on others, it aligns with utilitarian ideals. This principle encourages individuals to consider the broader societal implications of their actions, emphasizing the importance of looking beyond personal interests in pursuit of the common good.

The other ethical principles do not share this focus on sacrificing for the collective benefit in the same way. Deontological ethics emphasizes duties and adherence to rules, Virtue ethics centers on personal character and virtues, while relativism posits that moral judgments are shaped by cultural or societal contexts, none of which specifically advocate for the notion of sacrificing oneself for the greater good as directly as utilitarianism does.