Deontological Ethics
Deontological ethics, often referred to as duty-based ethics, is a branch of moral philosophy that emphasizes adherence to established rules regarding right and wrong. Proponents of this ethical framework assert that actions should be determined not by their outcomes, but by whether they align with these moral rules. The term "deontology" is derived from Greek, where "deon" means "duty" and "logos" refers to reasoning. Central to deontological thought is the belief that certain actions, such as harming innocent individuals, are inherently wrong regardless of the potential positive consequences that could arise from them.
Prominent figures in deontological ethics include philosopher Immanuel Kant, who introduced concepts like the categorical imperative, asserting that moral rules must be universalizable. Kant's view posits that rational beings should act according to principles that could be accepted by all, emphasizing the importance of intention behind actions rather than their results. Deontological ethics can be categorized into agent-centered theories, which focus on the individual performing the action, and victim-centered theories, which consider the rights of those affected by the action. While deontological ethics provides a clear framework for moral decision-making, it also faces criticisms for its rigid adherence to rules and the potential for conflicting duties, which can complicate moral judgments.
Deontological Ethics
Deontological ethics—which is sometimes called duty-based ethics—is a branch of ethics that believes people's actions should be based on rules about right and wrong. People who subscribe to deontological ethics believe that actions should be taken or not taken based on these rules about right and wrong. The word deontology comes from the Greek words deon (meaning "duty") and logos (meaning "determined through reasoning").
People who subscribe to deontological ethics do not believe that people should weigh the outcome of their actions when they make decisions. Instead, they should do what is right, no matter the consequence. Because of this belief, deontologists are opposed to the beliefs of consequentialists, or those who believe people should make choices based on the potential benefits for oneself or others.
Basic Deontological Ideas
Many deontologists believe that some actions cannot be undertaken because they are morally wrong, no matter the good consequences that could come from such an action. For example, many deontologists believe that the killing of innocent people is something that is morally forbidden. To a consequentialist, killing an innocent person could possibly be justified if that person's death ensured the safety of hundreds of others. In contrast, many deontologists would say that even if a death would save hundreds of other lives, it is never morally acceptable to kill an innocent person. Furthermore, some deontologists believe that some right actions should be taken not because of their outcome but because they help set a precedent and a moral norm.
Most deontological theories can be divided between agent-centered theories and victim-centered (or patient-centered) theories. Agent-centered theories focus on the agent, or the person doing the action. Agent-centered theories look at the agent-relative reasons why a person performs an action. Victim-centered theories focus on reasons why an agent would do something based on others’ rights.
Theories Related to Deontological Ethics
Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) is one of history's most famous philosophers. He subscribed, at least in part, to deontological ethics. His theories, called Kantian ethics, are an important part of the deontological ethics discussion. Kant believed that there were some rules of morality that all humans had to follow; moreover, he believed that any rational being (e.g., God, rational extraterrestrials) in the universe would have to follow these rules.
Kant believed that humans, as rational beings, could determine these rules through reason. Kant then developed a principle that he called the categorical imperative, which he believed must be obeyed by reasonable beings. The first draft of categorical imperative indicated that rational beings can set standards for themselves only if they want all other beings to follow the same standards. For example, Kant would make the argument that a person cannot justify lying. If a person lies, this indicates that all others can also lie. If all people lie, communication would break down and become impossible. Therefore, people should never lie, even if the outcome of the lie would be beneficial.
Because of categorical imperative, Kant had to make a distinction between acting and failing to act. For example, Kant posited that one must never kill an innocent human; however, Kant did not think that one must act to prevent another person's death in all cases. Therefore, Kant believed that people do not have to act at all times to help others; however, he did believe that people had to avoid actions that would actively harm someone else.
Deontological ethics has developed a number of theories in addition to the Kantian approach. One theory related to deontological ethics is divine command theory. This theory states that an action is right if God has decreed that it is correct. In divine command theory, many of the rules that people must follow are God’s commands. Also, people who act on divine command theory act because of God’s commands and not because of any good consequences that will happen.
Another theory related to deontological ethics is natural rights theory, which states that humans have some absolute natural rights. This theory was incorporated into Christianity by the famous philosopher and theologian St. Thomas Aquinas. Later, however, the theory was separated from religion, and it eventually led to the idea of human rights that people cite today.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Deontology
Deontological ethics has strengths and weaknesses as an ethical tool. One of these strengths is that it allows people to take actions that are neither morally necessary nor morally forbidden. A consequentialist cannot perform actions that do not have morally good outcomes; however, deontologists can perform an action as long as it is not morally wrong. Another strength of deontological ethics is that an action is valued over an outcome; this is beneficial because sometimes outcomes cannot be foreseen.
Although deontological ethics has clear advantages, it also has some weaknesses. Since deontologists are more concerned about the rules they follow and less concerned about the effects of following the rules, some actions that people decide to take through deontological ethics can cause bad things to happen. Another disadvantage of deontological ethics is that it is absolutist. Since deontological ethics stresses following predetermined moral rules and codes, people must follow the rules (no matter the consequences) unless exceptions are made. One other limitation of deontological ethics is sometimes different duties conflict with one another, causing a problem for a person making a decision about what action to take.
Bibliography
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Austin, Michael W. "Divine Command Theory." Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Web. 16 July 2015. http://www.iep.utm.edu/divine-c/
"Duty-Based Ethics." BBC. BBC. Web. 16 July 2015. http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/introduction/duty‗1.shtml
Tännsjö, Torbjörn. Understanding Ethics: An Introduction to Moral Theory. 3rd ed. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, Ltd., 2013. 59–76. Print.
"Utilitarianism, Kantian Ethics, Natural Rights Theories, and Religious Ethics." New Mexico State University. New Mexico State University Board of Regents. Web. 16 July 2015. http://web.nmsu.edu/~dscoccia/321web/321ethicstheory.pdf