Ethics Of Duty And Deontological Ethics

The ethical theory deontology derives its name from Greek origins, ‘Deon’ meaning duty. The first form of deontology was known as ‘religious deontology’. Under religious deontology, there are divine commandments laid down by deities that govern how the lives of their devotees should be conducted. Societal ills such as theft and lying were frowned upon and were to be avoided unless punishments would be meted out to the offenders. Other theories which oppose deontology include consequentialism and utilitarianism.

“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

Deontology is an ethical theory concerned with duties and rights. The founder of deontological ethics was a German philosopher named Immanuel Kant. Kant’s deontological perspective implies people are sensitive to moral duties that require or prohibit certain behaviors, irrespective of the consequences (Tanner, Medin, & Iliev, 2008). The main focus of deontology is duty: deontology is derived from the Greek word deon, meaning duty. A duty is morally mandated action, for instance, the duty never to lie and always to keep your word. Based on Kant, even when individuals do not want to act on duty they are ethically obligated to do so (Rich, 2008).

Deontology or also know as Deontology ethics is an approach that is taken that determines the goodness and rightness of a specific act or rules and duties that a specific person has to perform. Deontology is the complete opposite of consequentialism. Consequentialism is the where the outcome of an act has a major influence and not the actual act itself. In better words it is what comes after the action that is made and not the action itself. As for deontology an action can be considered right or something acceptable even if the outcome of the action is something bad. A perfect example for deontology would be “ do onto others what you would have them do onto you.” This is just something that

Deontology is an ethical position that examines the morality of an action based on the action’s adherence to rule or rules. Many times is described as obligation or rule based ethics (Alexander). Therefore, the only actions that are considered moral are those that are performed solely for one’s duty to the moral law rather than one’s desire. Deontology is the school of thought that Kant comes from. Immanuel Kant was a critical figure in philosophy in the modern age. His work was the foundation of the most famous form of Deontology.

Kant had a different ethical system which was based on reason. According to Kant reason was the fundamental authority in determining morality. All humans possess the ability to reason, and out of this ability comes two basic commands: the hypothetical imperative and the categorical imperative. In focusing on the categorical imperative, in this essay I will reveal the underlying relationship between reason and duty.

According to Kant, an action can only be morally right when it is motivated by duty alone, as opposed to being motivated by duty and emotion combined or just pure emotion (Kant, Groundwork, 397). In order to defend this statement, I will begin with explaining Kant’s view of morality and what kind of judgments we make in order to discover what morality is and how it relates to the moral law. I will then proceed to explain how Kant defines duty and how it relates to having a good will. Finally, I will explain what exactly the moral law commands and tie it back in to why morally correct actions are purely motivated by duty.

First, that having good will, lies not just in consensus with but from duty. Second, that the moral worth of an action from duty is not in the purpose to be achieved, but in the maxim in agreement to what it is decided upon. And third, that “Duty is the necessity of an action from respect for the law” (Groundwork, 401). Kant thus explains that a morally good action is one that is motivated by respect for duty. Therefore, Kant’s argument is that the fundamental principle of morality must always be consistent with the notion of duty.

In Immanuel Kant’s Groundwork of Metaphysics of Morals, Kant argues that one’s duty requires an individual to act against one’s inclinations, wants and desires, in order to achieve a higher moral worth. For Kant, the concept of duty is something that you ought to do despite not wanting to, assuming the duty is possible. A duty contains the concept of good will, or acting on one’s duty, against one’s inclinations, which is how moral worth is achieved. In order for an individual to achieve a higher moral worth, he must not act out of any inclination beyond his duty. Likewise, an individual should only act on a maxim that at the same time he wills to be universal law, common knowledge, as explained by the categorical imperative

Deontological moral theory is a Non-Consequentialist moral theory. While consequentialists believe the ends always justify the means, deontologists assert that the rightness of an action is not simply dependent on maximizing the good, if that action goes against what is considered moral. It is the inherent nature of the act alone that determines its ethical standing. For example, imagine a situation where there are four critical condition patients in a hospital who each need a different organ in order to survive. Then, a healthy man comes to the doctor's office for a routine check-up. According to consequentialism, not deontology, the doctor should and must sacrifice that one man in order to save for others. Thus, maximizing the good.

In contrast, deontology denotes an ethical perspective based on duty or obligation. Moral actions are assessed on the foundation of inherent rightness or wrongness rather than the primary consideration being of consequences. From this perspective, Alyssa should take an action that disclosures and removes any questionable behaviors, no matter the consequences. If fundamental principles, for example life are violated, the action is always considered morally wrong, even if good outcomes ascended.

In contrast, deontology denotes an ethical perspective based on duty or obligation. Moral actions are assessed on the foundation of inherent rightness or wrongness rather than the primary consideration being of consequences (Nagel, 1986). From this perspective, Alyssa should take an action that disclosures and removes any questionable behaviors, no matter the consequences. If fundamental principles, for example life are violated, the action is always considered morally wrong, even if good outcomes ascended.

Deontological ethics are based on moral obligations, duties and rights. Rules are to guide decision making in deontological ethics. Deontological ethics have a more individualistic focus, as individuals are supposed to be treated with respect and dignity (Sexty, 2011, 7).

Deontology is an ethical principle that is more concerned with actions rather than the consequences for the actions. This principle was created to bring attention to the correlation between duty and moral actions. Immanuel Kant was the first philosopher to use moral theories and human reasoning to define deontology. DeGeorge mentioned the three formal conditions under Kant’s categorical imperative for an action to be considered moral: (1) it must be amenable to being made consistently universal, (2) it must respect rational beings as ends in themselves, and (3) it must stem from respect the autonomy of rational beings. This universal and imperative way of thinking encourages ethical decision-making that holds everyone accountable for their duty to behave in a manner that morally obeys the law.

According to principle of universalism moral duty of a person could be revealed through reasons, objectively. Kant said that to act morally is one’s moral duty and one’s moral duty is to follow innate law.