In philosophy, deontological ethical theory explains the relationship between duty and the morality of human actions. Deontology is a Greek word that focuses on logic and ethics.
The deontological theory is one that suggests people should stick to their duties. Whatever their ethical duties are, they should not deviate from them at all since that is what is ethical.
The theory that can be summarized as "one should do good and avoid evil" aligns closely with the ethical principle of utilitarianism, which emphasizes actions that promote the greatest happiness for the greatest number. It also resonates with deontological ethics, particularly Immanuel Kant's categorical imperative, which advocates for moral duties and the inherent rightness of actions. This principle serves as a foundational guideline in various ethical frameworks, encouraging individuals to make choices that contribute positively to society while steering clear of harmful actions.
An example of deontological ethics is Immanuel Kant's categorical imperative, which posits that individuals should act according to maxims that could be universally applied. For instance, if one believes that lying is wrong, then one should never lie, regardless of the consequences. This ethical framework emphasizes the importance of adhering to moral duties and principles rather than focusing solely on the outcomes of actions.
--> --> Normative ethical systems can generally be broken down into three categories: deontological, teleological and virtue ethics. The first two are considered deontic or action-based theories of morality because they focus entirely upon the actions which a person performs. When actions are judged morally right based upon their consequences, we have teleological or consequentialist ethical theory. When actions are judged morally right based upon how well they conform to some set of duties, we have a deontological ethical theory.
Teleological ethical theories are consequentialist in nature because they assert that the morally correct action is one that produces the greatest balance of good over bad consequences compared with alternative actions. Deontological ethical theories are nonconsequentialist and regard the rightness or wrongness of an action as intrinsic to the action itself. There, the consequences are morally irrelevant. Utilitarianism is the best-known teleological theory. Deontological theories include Kant's categorical imperative, human rights theories, and divine command theories.
Under the deontological ethical approach, which is based on principles and rules, lying is considered unacceptable. This approach emphasizes the importance of moral duties and obligations, and lying is seen as a violation of those duties and a breach of trust. It argues that one should always tell the truth, regardless of the consequences.
individual ethical egoism.
"Individual ethical egoists are unlikely to publicly promote their views."
Philosopher John Stuart Mill's ethical theory, known as utilitarianism, emphasizes that the morality of an action is determined by its consequences. According to Mill, the right action is the one that maximizes overall happiness and minimizes suffering, focusing on the outcomes of one's choices.
Carol Gilligan, who proposed a different perspective of moral development that emphasizes the role of caring, compassion, and relationships in shaping one's ethical decision-making. Her theory focuses on the moral reasoning of women and highlights the importance of interpersonal connections in the development of morality.
Utilitarianism is part of the consequentialist perspective in moral reasoning, which evaluates the morality of actions based on their outcomes or consequences. It posits that the best action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or utility for the greatest number of people. This approach contrasts with deontological ethics, which focuses on the inherent morality of actions rather than their results. Ultimately, utilitarianism emphasizes the importance of the collective well-being in ethical decision-making.
The ethical dilemmas in the real-life trolley problem scenario involve making difficult decisions about sacrificing the life of one person to save the lives of many others. This raises questions about the value of individual life, the concept of utilitarianism versus deontological ethics, and the moral responsibility of the decision-maker.