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Deontology
Its name comes from the Greek word deon, meaning duty. Actions that align with these rules are ethical, while actions that don’t aren’t. This ethical theory is most closely associated with German philosopher, Immanuel Kant. Kant believed that ethical actions follow universal moral laws, such as “Don’t lie. Don’t steal. Don’t cheat.” -
Example of deontology
Any system involving a clear set of rules is a form of deontology, which is why some people call it a “rule-based ethic”. The Ten Commandments is an example, as is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Most deontologists say there are two different kinds of ethical duties, perfect duties and imperfect duties. -
Two types of duties
Perfect duties: Kant calls them necessary duties that we should be able to will for all. He stresses that we should treat persons as persons and not use them for our own purposes. Imperfect duties: It is a more flexible duty no rational person could will it. -
How is deontology justified?
Deontology insists that individuals may never be instrumentalised and fundamentally disputes that moral choices can be justified by their consequences. The only feature that can make an act good is the intention that guides it, the good will. -
Strengths of Deontology
It creates the foundation for human conduct where actions can become a universal law because of its goodness. It creates moral absolutes where people in society strive to be morally perfect. The ethics create more personal responsibility where individuals act as if they are the lawgivers and It helps eliminate bias in decision-making by holding decisions to standards, or principles, that have universal acceptance of as right and good.