Deontology | Ethics Defined

Summary

Deontology is an ethical theory focused on following rules to determine right from wrong, as advocated by philosopher Immanuel Kant. It emphasizes adhering to universal moral laws such as 'Don’t lie, don’t steal, and don’t cheat.' Unlike consequentialism, which evaluates actions based on outcomes, deontology simplifies decision-making by following set rules, avoiding subjective evaluations. However, this rigidity can lead to dilemmas—such as letting a harmful event occur because intervening would break ethical guidelines. Thus, while deontology provides clarity and consistency, it may overlook the consequences of strict rule-following.

Takeaways

• 📜 Deontology is an ethical theory that uses rules to distinguish right from wrong.
• 👨‍🏫 It is closely associated with the philosopher Immanuel Kant.
• 🛑 Ethical actions in deontology follow universal moral laws like 'Don’t lie, don’t steal, don’t cheat.'
• 👍 Deontology is simple to apply by following set rules and performing one’s duty.
• 🧠 It aligns with our natural intuition about ethics, as opposed to consequentialism.
• ⚖️ Unlike consequentialism, deontology doesn’t weigh the costs and benefits of an action.
• 🚫 The theory avoids subjectivity and uncertainty since it relies on following strict rules.
• 🤔 A major criticism is that rigidly applying deontology can lead to unacceptable outcomes.
• 💻 In the example of a nuclear missile launch, deontology would forbid hacking to stop it, despite the potential harm.
• ⚠️ Deontology can lead to disregarding the consequences of actions, focusing solely on rule-following.

Q & A

What is deontology?

Deontology is an ethical theory that uses rules to distinguish right from wrong. It emphasizes following universal moral laws and fulfilling one's duty.

Which philosopher is most associated with deontology?

Immanuel Kant is the philosopher most associated with deontology.

What are some examples of universal moral laws in deontology?

Examples of universal moral laws in deontology include 'Don’t lie,' 'Don’t steal,' and 'Don’t cheat.'

How does deontology differ from consequentialism?

Deontology differs from consequentialism in that it focuses on following rules and duties, rather than judging actions based on their outcomes or consequences.

Why is deontology considered easy to apply?

Deontology is considered easy to apply because it requires people to follow clear, set rules without needing to weigh the costs and benefits of different situations.

What is one potential downside of rigidly following deontology?

A potential downside of rigidly following deontology is that it can lead to outcomes that many people find unacceptable, such as ignoring harmful consequences to follow strict rules.

What example is given in the script to illustrate the downside of deontology?

The example involves a software engineer who learns about a potential nuclear missile launch. Although they could hack the system to prevent it, doing so would violate professional ethics and deontological rules, leading to a dilemma.

How does deontology handle subjectivity and uncertainty in ethical decisions?

Deontology avoids subjectivity and uncertainty by focusing on following established moral rules, which eliminates the need to consider varying outcomes or weigh different factors.

What might deontology advise in the case of the software engineer example?

Deontology would advise the software engineer not to hack the system, as it would involve violating rules such as not breaking into software systems without permission and not lying or cheating.

What is the key criticism of deontology presented in the script?

The key criticism is that deontology, by prioritizing rule-following, can lead to disregarding potentially severe consequences, such as the loss of thousands of lives in the missile example.