Deontology

From WikiMD's Wellnesspedia

Deontology is a philosophical approach to ethics that emphasizes the rightness or wrongness of actions themselves, as opposed to the rightness or wrongness of the outcomes of those actions (consequentialism). It is sometimes described as "duty-" or "obligation-" or "rule-" based ethics, because rules "bind you to your duty". Deontological ethics is commonly contrasted to consequentialism, virtue ethics, and pragmatic ethics.

Overview[edit | edit source]

The term deontology comes from the Greek word deon, meaning duty. The theory of deontology states that when we have to make ethical decisions, our first thoughts are often about the duties, principles, or rules that apply to the situation.

History[edit | edit source]

The concept of deontology has been traced back to the philosopher Immanuel Kant, who argued that certain types of actions are absolutely prohibited, even in cases where the action would bring about more happiness than the alternative.

Principles[edit | edit source]

Deontological theories differ in their characterization of the moral duty. However, there are a number of key principles that are commonly associated with deontological ethical theories. These include:

  • Autonomy: The principle of autonomy requires that individuals should be able to govern themselves and make their own decisions. This is often linked to the concept of respect for persons.
  • Justice: This principle requires that we treat all individuals equally and fairly.
  • Beneficence: This principle requires that we promote the well-being of others.
  • Non-maleficence: This principle requires that we do not harm others.

Criticisms[edit | edit source]

Like all normative theories of ethics, deontology has been subject to criticism. Critics argue that deontological theories are overly rigid and cannot account for situations where we need to make difficult decisions in the face of conflicting duties.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


Deontology Resources

Find a healthcare provider anywhere in the world quickly and easily!

Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.


Contributors: Admin, Prab R. Tumpati, MD