Deontology or duty is “if a cultural norm of law conflicts with a moral duty, then the moral duty should take precedence over the legal duty” (Boss). So with Boss’s example of the doctor in a bit of a dilemma, he must make a decision between telling the wife the real situation of her husband's real condition and keep a marriage from falling apart. Or in terms of Deontology, the doctor must choose between going against cultural norms. But lawfully speaking, the doctor doesn't have the right to tell the wife about her husband’s health condition. So in that way she is choosing her moral duty over the lawful conditions of her profession. My beliefs on this is split. I do believe that the doctor must follow protocol and not inform the wife because her profession says so but I also believe that the wife deserves to know that status of her marriage. So either side of this Deontology argument can be made in my opinion. But the side of the argument that has the doctor informing the wife of the situation is the Absolute Duty. This is “one that is always morally binding regardless of the circumstances” (Boss). The argument that is the doctor following the law is the Prima Facie Duty. Morally binding till it conflicts with moral obligations. …show more content…
Boss example is somewhat lacking certain variables. What if up the ante? The situation in Syria is very controversial and is affecting almost every country around the world. In response to gas attacks, our president fired missiles at a Syrian airfield according to most this is an unprovoked act of war. So my question is, are President Trumps action a result of Deontology. Was the President's action superior to constitutional law? If so President Trump was justified for attacking Syria. If not then one could argue that he committed an act of war and unconstitutional
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 word deontology comes from the Greek word “deontos” which means duty (Adams, 2011). Deontology can be defined as doing what is morally correct regardless of the final results as long as they abide by the moral principles. Certain actions, like lying, are never allowed regardless if its outcomes benefit the purpose and no harm is caused. The theory states that whether an action is ethical and follows the moral rules, depends on the intentions behind the decisions (Pieper, 2008). So for an action to be “good” and morally right, it must have been performed at goodwill and abide to moral values.
With this theory Michael Boylan explains that, “no calculations, such as consequences of the action can be measured.” The act should only be based on duty and must be consistent with their absolutism. This may lead to the action of a deontologist turning out morally wrong. This theory often contradicts the other ethical theory utilitarianism. Michael Boylan explains that, “ the result of deontology acts on the moral of command rather than the possibility of the greater good”.
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).
The deontology theory is the moral obligation to act in accordance with a certain set of principles and rules regardless of the outcome (Kantian Duty Base Deontological Ethics, n.d.). It is an ethics of duty. To determine whether Susan should have her sentence commuted from a deontological standpoint, two formulations of the categorical imperative of the theory has to be met. The first is the principles of universalizability where the actions must be willed universally without exception (PL 360: Week 3 – Do the Right Thing, n.d.). What this is saying is the action has to done the same all
Before explaining why deontology is the best option for the accounting profession, the definitions of each ethics systems must be explained in detail. First, deontology only takes into consideration the issues of fairness, rights, and commitments (Duska, 2011). This system focuses solely on what is right and wrong no matter what the consequences are for self or others. In other words, a deontologist focuses not on the results of the action, but the action itself (Uyar, et.al., 2015). Deontologists believe that moral decisions are based on their obligations and duties. They believe that right is always right and wrong is always wrong, regardless of the outcome.
The Deontological ethics is marked by steadfastness to universal principles—for example, respect for life, fairness, telling the truth, keeping promises—no matter what the consequences (Halbert, Law & Ethics in the Business Environment. pg. 17).
The deontology principle “is marked by steadfastness to universal principles …[of] respect for life, fairness,
Those practicing deontological based ethics are apt to base their decisions off of loyalty and what they believe their duty to be; therefore the choice a deontologist makes is more so based independently with only one option versus the actual consequences of the decision. Taking the aforementioned into consideration, it is quite
In a deontological system, it is supposed that a person's ethics and decision making is affected mostly by virtue or moral absolutes and guiding principles. This is very pronounced in Christian ethics. Thus, decision making in governed by the deontological system is whether an action is inherently right or wrong (Rae, 2000, p. 17). Furthermore, deontological systems are then based on divine command theory, natural law and ethical rationalism.
Deontology applies all the time, in all places, and to all people. This principle mandates that we ought to treat other human beings never simply as means, but always as an end of an action. Deontology believes in categorical imperative. Categorical imperative is their fundamental principal. According to Mill, “to treat someone as an end in him or herself requires in the first place that one not use him or her as mere means, that one respect each as a rational person with his or her own maxims (goals) (O’Neill,3). Meaning, one should never involve another human being in an action to which they could not consent, never treating people like things or tools. There are many ways to treat people like mere means (tools); two key examples would
In the late 18th century one of the most influential philosophers by the name of Immanuel Kant introduced the third major ethical philosophy, Deontology. The basis behind Deontology is that people are duty bound to act morally by certain standards despite the outcome. Determining whether a person’s actions are morally right involves look at the intent of the actions. Like other ethic theories, Deontologist applies the golden rule of treating other people the way you would want them to treat you. Deontology can be broken down into three different theories: agent-centered, patient centered, and contractualist. Each branch of Deontology can be traced back in some way to Immanuel Kant. Can Deontology be applied to today’s society?
Yet another great post to ride out the journey with kudos! Good find with the Amtrak train company, I would never have thought of that. I agree with your definitions whole heartedly, I also think of your example of conglomerates as deontology. I know where you are coming from with Time Warner, they did that here and other companies forced them to bankrupt. Although, I gave up our dish network because they wanted $180.00 for 150 channels and half of them were either news media or channels that ran reruns so we save that money for other important things and the grandchildren watch movies when they come over. Although, Time Warner sound like they are money hungry, in fact they are, all companies out there are unethical. I find
The objection that deontology is a sufficient moral reasoning for war is simply that "a defining element of deontology is the view that the ends (by themselves) do not justify the means" (Steinhoff, 2014). Deontologists ignore how much good might be caused by an action. They look at the action itself, deciding whether it is prohibited or made obligatory by one of their rules. Usually, the rules are expressed negatively and do not kill would be one of those rules, making war against what they believe in to begin with and difficult to appropriately apply deontological reasoning to war. With war there will be killing.
The Deontology theory is one that I find quite interesting. I had never heard of it before I read the book. This philosophy describes a rational being and what it entails. As nurses we feel a sense of duty to our patients and this philosophy divulges into how duties and laws are set in stone and cannot be changed. We will always feel a certain duty to patients that will never waiver. There are two different duties that Immanuel Kant, the most influential philosopher with deontology, brought up, and they are the hypothetical imperative and the categorical imperative. The hypothetical imperative is an optional duty that is suggested so that an outcome can be achieved. (Butts & Rich, 2016) The example that the book gives for this is “If I want to become a nurse, then I have to study during school more” (Butts & Rich, 2016, p. 21), and I think this is an incredible example. The optional part of this is the studying. Obviously, if someone does