Lecture 8 Flashcards
What is deontology?
Deontology is an ethical theory that judges the morality of actions based on whether they follow a set of rules or duties, regardless of consequences
What does the word “deontology” mean?
Derived from the Greek deon, meaning “duty”
What is the primary concern of deontological ethics?
The moral principles behind actions—doing what is right because it is one’s duty
Who is the most influential deontologist in moral philosophy?
Immanuel Kant
What does Kant say determines the morality of an action?
Whether it is done from duty and based on a universal moral law (not on outcomes)
What are moral obligations in deontology?
Duties that must be followed by everyone regardless of personal desires or consequences
According to Kant, are moral laws dependent on emotions?
No. Kant argues that morality must be rooted in reason, not emotions
What is the categorical imperative?
A universal moral law that applies to all rational beings, commanding actions that can be universally applied
How is a categorical imperative different from a hypothetical imperative?
Categorical: Applies universally and unconditionally (moral)
Hypothetical: Conditional and based on personal goals (non-moral)
What is the Universalizability Principle?
“Act only on that maxim which you can at the same time will to become a universal law.”
What is the Humanity Principle?
“Act so that you treat humanity, whether in yourself or in others, always as an end and never merely as a means.”
What does it mean to treat someone as a “mere means”?
To use them only to achieve your goals, without considering their interests or dignity
What is the famous thought experiment used to test deontology?
“Kant’s Axe” – whether it is permissible to lie to a murderer asking for a victim’s location
What would Kant argue in the “Kant’s Axe” scenario?
Lying is always morally wrong, even to save a life, because truth-telling must be universalizable
According to deontology, is it acceptable to break a rule if the outcome is good?
No. The rightness of an action does not depend on its consequences
How does deontology view people?
As rational and autonomous beings deserving respect—never to be treated merely as tools
What are the three major types of duty-based ethical theories discussed?
Divine Command Theory – morality is following God’s will
Rights-Based Theory – respect individual rights
Justice-Based Theory – treat people fairly and equally
What does the Rights-Based Theory emphasize?
That people have inherent rights that must be respected in every ethical decision
What does the Justice-Based Theory emphasize?
That ethical actions are those that promote fairness and equality
What is a strength of deontological ethics?
It provides clear, universal moral rules and respects individual dignity
What are criticisms of deontology?
- Too rigid—doesn’t allow for exceptions (e.g., lying to save a life)
-May result in conflicting duties (e.g., tell the truth vs. protect a life)
- Ignores consequences entirely
How does deontology differ from utilitarianism?
Deontology: Focuses on duties and rules; consequences don’t matter
Utilitarianism: Focuses on consequences and maximizing overall happiness
What is the central insight of deontology?
What is fair for one must be fair for all; morality must be based on universal principles
Why is deontology important in bioethics?
It helps define professional duties and ethical codes in medicine—e.g., truth-telling, informed consent, respect for patients
What would a deontologist say about using experimental treatments without consent?
It’s unethical because it treats patients as means to an end, violating autonomy and consent
