What is the central focus of utilitarianism within consequentialist ethics?

Utilitarianism, as a branch of consequentialist ethics, is fundamentally centered on the principle of achieving the greatest good for the greatest number of people. This ethical framework evaluates actions based on their outcomes and aims to maximize overall happiness or utility. The idea is that moral actions are those that produce the best consequences for the majority, thereby promoting collective welfare.

In the context of military ethics, utilitarianism might guide decisions in situations where the actions of military personnel need to be assessed in terms of their broader impact on society. For instance, a command decision that sacrifices a small number of lives to save many others would be justified under utilitarian principles if the net outcome is a greater good.

The other options do not align with the central tenet of utilitarianism. The focus on strict adherence to military protocols emphasizes rule-based ethics, while prioritizing individual rights over all else hints at a deontological perspective that contrasts sharply with utilitarian views. Lastly, references to rules governing military conduct also point toward normative ethics rather than the outcome-focused rationale of utilitarianism.