Deontology
From Greek: deon (duty) + logos (study)
Overview
Deontological ethics judges the morality of an action based on the action's adherence to rules or duties. The term was coined by Jeremy Bentham's student, though the framework is most associated with Immanuel Kant. Rather than examining consequences, deontology asks whether an action itself is right or wrong according to a series of moral principles.
Key Thinkers
Immanuel Kant
1724 — 1804
W. D. Ross
1877 — 1971
Christine Korsgaard
1952 — present
Core Principles
- The Categorical Imperative: Act only according to maxims you could will to be universal law.
- Humanity as an End: Treat humanity never merely as a means, but always also as an end.
- Moral Duty: Actions have moral worth only when performed from a sense of duty, not inclination.
Critiques
Critics argue that strict deontology can lead to morally counterintuitive conclusions. If lying is always wrong, must one lie to a murderer asking for the location of their intended victim? The rigidity of duty-based reasoning sometimes conflicts with compassionate judgment.