NAME : Bayer Jarod

SEMESTER : 5TH SEMESTER,2023
COURSE : Humanities (HMNT 159)
 
 

An Introduction to Deontology: Ethics Based on Duty

I. Introduction

Deontology is a branch of moral philosophy that focuses on the concepts of duty and moral
obligation. It is a normative theory that provides a framework for evaluating the moral worth of
actions based on their conformity to moral rules or duties. In contrast to consequentialist
theories, which focus on the outcomes or consequences of actions, deontological ethics
emphasizes the inherent moral value of actions themselves, regardless of their consequences.

The origins of deontological ethics can be traced back to the work of philosophers such as
Immanuel Kant and William David Ross, who developed distinct theories of deontology. Today,
deontological ethics continues to be an influential approach to moral reasoning in various fields,
including medicine, business, and politics.

In this lecture, we will explore the key concepts and theories of deontological ethics, as well as
their applications and criticisms in contemporary society.

II. Key Concepts of Deontological Ethics

Deontological ethics is based on several key concepts that provide a framework for evaluating
the moral worth of actions. These concepts include the concepts of duty and obligation, the
principle of the moral worth of actions, the distinction between right and wrong actions, and the
idea of the categorical imperative.

1. Duty and Obligation:

Deontological ethics emphasizes the concepts of duty and obligation, which are considered to be
inherent in moral action. Duty refers to the obligation to act in a certain way based on moral
rules or principles, regardless of the consequences. This means that an action may be considered
morally right or wrong even if it does not produce the desired outcome. For example, a doctor
may have a duty to respect a patient's autonomy, even if it results in a decision that the doctor
disagrees with.

2. The Principle of the Moral Worth of Actions:

Deontological ethics holds that the moral worth of an action is determined by its conformity to
moral rules or principles rather than its consequences. This means that an action is considered
morally right or wrong based on its inherent qualities, such as its intention, rather than the
outcome it produces. For example, telling the truth is considered morally right, even if it leads to
negative consequences, while lying is considered morally wrong, even if it leads to positive
outcomes.
 
NAME : Bayer Jarod
SEMESTER : 5TH SEMESTER,2023
COURSE : Humanities (HMNT 159)
 
 

3. The Distinction Between Right and Wrong Actions:

Deontological ethics distinguishes between right and wrong actions based on their conformity to
moral rules or principles. These rules or principles may be derived from various sources, such as
religious beliefs, social norms, or philosophical theories. For example, the Ten Commandments
provide a set of moral rules that are considered binding for many religious believers.

4. The Idea of the Categorical Imperative:

The categorical imperative is a central concept in deontological ethics, developed by Immanuel
Kant. It refers to the idea that there are certain moral rules or principles that are binding on all
rational beings, regardless of their individual interests or desires. According to Kant, the moral
worth of an action is determined by its conformity to the categorical imperative, which is
expressed in the principle "Act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time
will that it should become a universal law."

Overall, these key concepts provide a framework for evaluating the moral worth of actions based
on their conformity to moral rules or principles rather than their consequences. They reflect a
focus on the inherent moral value of actions themselves rather than the outcomes they produce.

III. Theories of Deontology

There are several distinct theories of deontology, each of which provides a unique perspective on
the concepts of duty and moral obligation. The two most prominent theories of deontology are
Kantian deontology and Rossian deontology.

1. Kantian Deontology:
Kantian deontology is based on the philosophy of Immanuel Kant, who developed a moral
theory that emphasized the concept of duty and the inherent moral value of actions themselves.
According to Kant, the moral worth of an action is determined by its conformity to the
categorical imperative, which is expressed in the principle "Act only according to that maxim by
which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law." Kant argued that the
categorical imperative is binding on all rational beings and that it provides a foundation for a
universal and objective morality.

2. Rossian Deontology:
Rossian deontology is based on the philosophy of W.D. Ross, who developed a moral theory that
emphasized the plurality of moral principles and the importance of balancing conflicting duties.
According to Ross, there are several prima facie duties that are binding on moral agents, such as
the duty to tell the truth, the duty to keep promises, and the duty to respect the autonomy of
others. Ross argued that these duties may sometimes conflict with one another and that moral
 
NAME : Bayer Jarod
SEMESTER : 5TH SEMESTER,2023
COURSE : Humanities (HMNT 159)
 
 

agents must use their judgment to determine which duty takes precedence in a particular
situation.

Overall, these theories of deontology reflect different perspectives on the concepts of duty and
moral obligation and provide distinct frameworks for evaluating the moral worth of actions
based on their conformity to moral rules or principles.

IV. Applications of Deontological Ethics

Deontological ethics has numerous applications in various fields, including medicine, business,
law, and politics. In each of these fields, deontological ethics provides a framework for
evaluating the moral worth of actions based on their conformity to moral rules or principles
rather than their outcomes or consequences.

1. Medicine:
In medicine, deontological ethics is applied in the form of medical ethics, which emphasizes the
importance of respect for patient autonomy, informed consent, and the duty to do no harm. For
example, the principle of respect for patient autonomy requires healthcare providers to involve
patients in decisions about their own care and to respect their choices, even if they disagree with
them.

2. Business:
In business, deontological ethics is applied in the form of business ethics, which emphasizes the
importance of integrity, honesty, and respect for stakeholders. For example, the duty to keep
promises requires businesses to fulfill their contractual obligations, even if it is not in their
immediate financial interest to do so.

3. Law:
In law, deontological ethics is applied in the form of legal ethics, which emphasizes the
importance of justice, fairness, and respect for the rule of law. For example, the principle of
respect for the rule of law requires legal professionals to uphold the law, even if they disagree
with it, and to respect the rights of all parties involved in a legal proceeding.

4. Politics:
In politics, deontological ethics is applied in the form of political ethics, which emphasizes the
importance of accountability, transparency, and respect for human rights. For example, the
principle of respect for human rights requires political leaders to uphold the basic rights and
freedoms of all citizens, regardless of their political views or affiliations.
 
NAME : Bayer Jarod
SEMESTER : 5TH SEMESTER,2023
COURSE : Humanities (HMNT 159)
 
 

Overall, deontological ethics provides a valuable framework for evaluating the moral worth of
actions in various fields and can help promote ethical behavior and decision-making.

V. Criticisms of Deontology

While deontological ethics provides a valuable framework for evaluating the moral worth of
actions based on moral rules or principles, it is not without its criticisms. Some of the key
criticisms of deontological ethics include:

1. Absolutism:
One of the main criticisms of deontological ethics is that it can lead to absolutism, where moral
rules or principles are applied rigidly and without exception, regardless of the circumstances.
This can lead to situations where the moral rules or principles conflict with one another, and it is
difficult to determine which takes precedence.

2. Lack of flexibility:
Deontological ethics can also be criticized for its lack of flexibility in the face of changing
circumstances. Because deontological ethics emphasizes the importance of following moral rules
or principles, it can be difficult to adapt to new situations or to make exceptions in certain cases.

3. Emphasis on duty over consequences:

Another criticism of deontological ethics is that it places too much emphasis on duty and not
enough on consequences. Critics argue that ethical decision-making should take into account the
potential outcomes of an action rather than simply following a set of moral rules or principles.

4. Difficulty in determining moral rules or principles:

Finally, deontological ethics can be criticized for the difficulty in determining which moral rules
or principles should be followed. There may be disagreement over which rules or principles are
most important or how they should be interpreted, leading to confusion and inconsistency in
ethical decision-making.

Overall, while deontological ethics has many strengths as a moral framework, it is not without its
criticisms, and ethical decision-making should take into account a variety of factors, including
moral rules or principles, consequences, and the particular circumstances of each case.

VI. Conclusion

In conclusion, deontological ethics is a moral framework that emphasizes the importance of

following moral rules or principles, regardless of the outcomes or consequences of an action. It
 
NAME : Bayer Jarod
SEMESTER : 5TH SEMESTER,2023
COURSE : Humanities (HMNT 159)
 
 

provides a valuable perspective on the concept of duty and moral obligation and has numerous
applications in fields such as medicine, business, law, and politics.

However, deontological ethics is not without its criticisms, including the potential for
absolutism, a lack of flexibility, and difficulty determining which moral rules or principles
should be followed. As such, ethical decision-making should take into account a variety of
factors, including moral rules or principles, consequences, and the particular circumstances of
each case.

Overall, deontological ethics remains an important and valuable framework for ethical decision-
making, but it must be used in conjunction with other ethical perspectives to ensure a
comprehensive and well-rounded approach to moral reasoning.