Deontological Ethics

From the Greek deon meaning right or obligation: The rationality of moral obligation. A Normative Ethical theory most often associated with the German Philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) which maintains normative evaluations are rooted in some intrinsic feature of an action which gives rise to an obligation or duty. In a 'Deontological' system of ethics the consequences of an action are generally irrelevant to moral assessment. Rather, morality comes about from a rational agent's recognition of its duties toward others. These duties can be grounded in different ways, from divine revelation to objective rational principles.

As a branch of Normative Ethical Theory, Deontology can be divided into two main types:

  1. Act Deontological Theories (which include)

    1. Situational Ethics (sometimes refered to as a prima facie Imperative Theory), and
    2. Existentialism

  2. Rule Deontological Theories (which include)

    1. Categorical Imperative Theories (i.e., Kantian Ethics) and
    2. Divine Command Theories
While each type of Deontological theory finds the locus of our moral obligations in different places, they all contend that 'goodness' resides in our ability to recongize and keep moral obligations; the consequences of our actions are of only secondary concern, if at all.