Deontology originates from the Greek word “deon”, or “one must” and puts a lot of importance on duty. It is a normative theory founded by one of the most influential thinkers in history, Immanuel Kant. This theory states that one must uphold his or her duty to others and society because that is the ethically correct way.
Deontology focuses on the motives rather than the results. Killing, torturing and lying are intrinsically wrong actions even if such an action can prevent a horrible outcome. And actions such as truth telling are correct intrinsically even if it can cause harm. There are no exceptions in regard to duty in deontology, which attracts criticism towards this theory.
Example
According to deontology, if a terrorist asks a train conductor for the train route, he must tell the truth, even if his lie could save lives. On the other hand the train conductor might also not grab the terrorist and throw him off the train killing him and saving lives because it is intrinsically wrong.
Kant’s categorical imperatives are unconditional and without reference to ends we might or might not have.
Kant's three significant formulations of the categorical imperative are:
• Act only according to that maxim by which you can also will that it would become a universal law.
• Act in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other. Emphasize on the intrinsic worth and dignity of rational creatures.
• We treat others as autonomous agents, capable of self-directed, rational action
Deontology focuses on the motives rather than the results. Killing, torturing and lying are intrinsically wrong actions even if such an action can prevent a horrible outcome. And actions such as truth telling are correct intrinsically even if it can cause harm. There are no exceptions in regard to duty in deontology, which attracts criticism towards this theory.
Example
According to deontology, if a terrorist asks a train conductor for the train route, he must tell the truth, even if his lie could save lives. On the other hand the train conductor might also not grab the terrorist and throw him off the train killing him and saving lives because it is intrinsically wrong.
Kant’s categorical imperatives are unconditional and without reference to ends we might or might not have.
Kant's three significant formulations of the categorical imperative are:
• Act only according to that maxim by which you can also will that it would become a universal law.
• Act in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other. Emphasize on the intrinsic worth and dignity of rational creatures.
• We treat others as autonomous agents, capable of self-directed, rational action