In utility balancing, which factors are considered?

• A. Probability of risks
• B. Severity of harms
• C. Value of benefit
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

In balancing utility, the decision maker weighs outcomes by how likely they are, how serious the harms would be if they occur, and how valuable the benefit is. You look at the probability of any risks to estimate how often harm might arise. You consider the severity of harms to understand the ethical weight if those harms occur. You also assess the value of the benefit to compare what you gain. Putting those together, decisions are guided by the overall expected utility—the idea that a beneficial outcome should be weighed against its likelihood and the harm it might cause. For example, a therapy with a small chance of a serious adverse effect might still be preferred if the expected benefit is large; conversely, a high likelihood of only modest benefit may not justify substantial harm. Because all three factors matter for a complete assessment, the best answer is that all are considered.