What is utilitarianism?

• A. It is the explanation of phenomena in terms of the purpose served rather than of the cause by which it arise.
• B. It is a normative ethical theory that the mortality of an action should be based on whether that action itself is right or wrong under a series of rules, rather than based on the consequences of the action
• C. It is an ethical theory that treats self-interest as the foundation of morality
• D. It is an ethical theory that determines right from wrong by focusing on outcomes that will produce the greatest good for the greatest number