Question 25
Domain 1: Ethical Foundations and Decision FrameworksAn AI product manager is deciding whether to deploy a customer-screening model. The model is expected to increase efficiency overall, but the team knows it violates a standing commitment to treat every applicant under the same published review procedure. Which reasoning approach is most appropriate if the decision should be guided primarily by whether the action honors the obligation itself rather than by overall results?
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Use duty-based reasoning when the central question is whether an action fulfills a rule, obligation, or principle, rather than whether it produces the best overall consequences. — Source material: Determine when duty-based reasoning is more appropriate than outcome-based reasoning.
Why each option is right or wrong
A. Outcome-based reasoning, because the higher efficiency makes the action ethically preferable
Outcome-based reasoning evaluates actions primarily by their consequences, not by whether they honor a standing obligation.
B. Duty-based reasoning, because the key issue is whether the action follows the required obligation
The source distinguishes duty-based from outcome-based reasoning by asking when duty-based reasoning is more appropriate. In this scenario, the question specifically says the decision should be guided primarily by whether the action honors the obligation itself rather than by overall results, which matches duty-based reasoning.
C. Outcome-based reasoning, because obligations matter only after comparing all likely business impacts
Duty-based reasoning is used when honoring the obligation itself is the primary basis for judgment.
D. Duty-based reasoning, because it is used whenever a decision affects many people at once
The choice between the two approaches turns on obligations versus consequences, not on how many people are affected.