Which ethical framework emphasizes consistency in application and reversibility?

Kantian ethics is grounded in the principle of universality and the inherent dignity of individuals. This ethical framework emphasizes consistency in moral decision-making, where an action must be applicable to everyone without exception. Kant proposed the categorical imperative, which suggests that one should act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law. This universality calls for consistency—the same moral rules should apply to all rational beings in similar situations.

Furthermore, Kantian ethics highlights the idea of reversibility. This concept relates to the notion that if one claims a certain action is permissible for oneself, it must also be deemed permissible for others in the same circumstances. This reversibility ensures that ethical decisions are not self-serving but are made with consideration of how they affect others, reinforcing accountability in moral actions.

In contrast, the other frameworks do not emphasize these principles in the same way. Utilitarianism focuses on the outcomes and maximization of overall happiness, rather than consistency in application of rules. Social Contract Theory is concerned with the agreements within a society but lacks the strict consistency Kant advocates. Ethical Relativism posits that moral principles are defined by cultural context, which does not lend itself to the universality and consistency highlighted in