Deontological Moral Theory Essay

Overall, deontology is based upon not just by following universal rules or performing what is ought to do, but by respecting human beings as rational beings as well. Deontology judges the ethical motive of an action not by its consequences, merely by the reasoning behind it.

“Deontology is a moral theory that emphasizes one’s duty to do a particular action just because the action, itself, is inherently right and not through any other sorts of calculations – such as the consequences of the action” (Boylan, 2009, p. 171). In many aspects deontology is contrasted with utilitarianism. Deontology is based upon principle and does not calculate the consequences (Boylan, 2009, p. 171). Deontology attracts those seeking a stronger moral attraction because it refers to commanding rather than commending and commanding is a stronger structure (Boylan, 2009, p. 172). The

In contrast with deontology, there is utilitarianism, which is a consequentialist theory. Utilitarianists consider consequences to be an important indicator of the moral value of one’s actions (Rich, 2008). In consequentialist analyses, conclusions about what is right or wrong are based on the consequences (Tanner et al., 2008). Utilitarianism is to promote the greatest good for the greatest amount of people that is possible in situations.

In a general sense, Deontological theories determine morality of an action by asking about the action itself.

In Normative Ethics there are three distinct schools of thought, and each differentiate through moral intentions. Consequentialism relies on the consequences of an action in order to distinguish whether or not something is morally acceptable. Deontology considers the morality of an action by one’s reason for doing a certain deed. Lastly, virtue ethics bases morality off of virtuous character, and how a virtuous person would act given a certain predicament. Ultimately, consequentialism provides the most practical explanation for morality due to the notion of providing the best possible result. Contrarily, deontology and virtue ethics do not always provide an individual with the most sensible course of action, and therefore prove to be

When faced with adversity and difficult dilemmas, people have different ways to figure out what to do; some people make pros and cons lists while other people just go with their gut. Ethical theories like utilitarianism and deontology, can aid people in making these difficult choices. Utilitarianism focuses on the results of your actions, rather than the intent behind them, as the goal of the theory is the create the greatest good for the greatest amount people. On the other hand, deontology follows a strict moral code concentrating on the right or moral action rather than the results it yields. While utilitarianism and deontology focus on different aspects of decision making, the effect and the intent respectively, they often yield the same result; more often than not the more ethical decision leads to the greater result. These ethical theories are both used in Snow Falling on Cedars by David Gunderson where they both agree on the topics, yielding the same results.

To contrast utilitarianism and deontology, utilitarianism summarized is making the right decision followed by the right actions that has the best outcome for the largest number of individuals. Deontology is the understanding and practice that there is a respect for life, fairness, and honesty despite the consequences and no matter the affect on

Now, some ( but not all) deontological theories are versions of ABSOLUTISM - i.e the

Consequentialism is ordinarily distinct from deontology, as deontology offers rightness or wrongness of an act, rather than the outcome of the action. In this essay we are going to explore the differences of consequentialism and deontology and apply them to the quandary

Deontology considers an action to be right iff it is in accordance with a moral rule or principle. A deontological moral rule is one that (i) is laid on us by god, (ii) is required by natural law, (iii) is laid on us by reason, (iiii) is required by nationality, (iiiii) would command universal rational acceptance, and (iiiiii) would be the object of choice of all rational beings (Hursthouse, Virtue Theory and Abortion, 224). This provides the link between right action, moral rule, and rationality. The deontologist Don Marquis would respond to the utilitarian argument by suggesting that the consequences of abortion are irrelevant because abortion violates a fundamental and unconditional duty.

The ethical theories of deontology and the branches of utilitarianism; act and rule, display similarities and differences within the meanings of both. Act utilitarianism theory is the focus on the outcome of an act. Rule utilitarianism is the method of an individual’s actions. The theories of deontology and utilitarianism both present moral rules and values. Deontology focuses on the motives of an action, whereas utilitarianism centers more on the end result. The Act utilitarianism theory is more effective by judging the morality of an action based on the consequences of its outcome.

Consequentialism and non-consequentialism are evident in these two theories when dealing with consequences of your ethical decisions. Utilitarianism is concerned with consequences showing a consequentialist view well deontological is not concerned with consequences a non-consequentialist view of ethics. Let's say you were in a situation where a serial killer wanted to know the location of a group of people and you knew the location would you lie or tell the truth. If you are a utilitarian concerned with consequences you would lie since the consequences could be the death of those people if you were, to tell the truth. On the other hand, someone with a deontological view won't lie and tell the location of the group of people since lying is against

For example, in Movie “the lone survivor”, the squad’s duty is to conduct a surveillance mission in Afghanistan. However, during the mission they discovered two local people. They have two option, and any option will result in different outcome. The first option is to kill them to ensure the mission success, in spite of those people are innocent. But, the outcome they will face is the condemnation, due to the murder. The second option is to let them go, based on the virtue and ideology from public opinion. However, the consequence they will suffer is to confront the attack and death threat from the Taliban, because of the report of those released people. It is related to the deontology and consequentialism. If you are a deontology, you will choose the second option. Contrarily, if you are a consequentialism, the first one will be your

In ethics, there are two main theories, the theory of consequentialism and deontologism. Deontologism states the justification of an action is based off of the action. This means that if the action that needs to be taken for something even greater happen is bad, then it is not rational and should not occur. Consequentialism on the other hand, states that in order to justify an action, the result positivity must outweigh the negativity caused by the action.

2.     Divine Command Theory: This theory is categorized as a deontological theory because the premises is that there is a God and one set of divine rules. If an individual adheres to the divine rules than he/she is morally and ethically correct, regardless of the consequences of his/her actions.