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Deontology, 6th Group – 57th Period

Final Report Unit 1

Pedro Chaca Asmal

Angélica Peralta Ochoa

Politécnica Salesiana University

Deontology
Cuenca, October 19, 2020
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Contenido
Abstract .................................................................................................................. 3
Ethical Theories ...................................................................................................... 4
Deontology ......................................................................................................................4
Definition of Deontology ..................................................................................................... 4
Importance of Studying Deontology .................................................................................... 4
Difference among Professional Ethics, Deontology and Morality ..................................... 4
Deontology and Consequentialism ...................................................................................... 5
Deontological Ethics by Kant............................................................................................... 5
Deontological Ethics by Ross ............................................................................................... 6
Axiology and its relation with Deontology.......................................................................7
The Divine Command Theory.........................................................................................7
Utilitarianism .................................................................................................................8
Act utilitarianism .................................................................................................................. 8
Rule utilitarianism................................................................................................................ 8
Conclusions ............................................................................................................. 9
References ............................................................................................................. 10
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Abstract

This document presents a brief summary of the conceptualization of

deontology, its types, characteristics as well as its importance for study. Topics

such as the difference between professional ethics, deontology and morality, and

the relationship of deontology with axiology are also discussed. It is known that

deontology is the branch of ethics that deals with duties, especially those that

govern professional activities, as well as the set of duties related to the exercise

of a profession. In turn, it is part of the moral philosophy dedicated to the study

of moral obligations or duties.

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Ethical Theories

Ethical theories try to offer a justification for moral attitudes and moral

character, also offering an ideal model of morality, an ideal of the good life, of a

life in accordance with moral values.

Deontology
Definition of Deontology

The term deontology is derived from the Greek deon, “duty,” and logos, “science.”

Deontology is an ethical theory that uses rules to distinguish right from wrong. It suggests

that some actions are good or bad according to a clear set of rules. The action is right if it

follows the moral norms and its not right if it goes against them.

Importance of Studying Deontology

Deontology is of great interest to the professional world as it seeks a

balance between a certain style of moral life and a high level of technical-

scientific professionalism.

Therefore it is important as it deals with determining and regulating the

set of ethical and moral responsibilities that arise in relation to the exercise of

the profession.

Difference among Professional Ethics, Deontology and Morality

Professional Ethics is responsible for discussing and founding a set of

principles or norms that constitute our morality. The essence of ethics is

freedom, autonomy; It does not require rules or regulations that are imposed on

man for its correct action.

Deontological ethics are ethical theories that place special emphasis on

the relationship between duty and the morality of human actions. Deontology is
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the practical part of professional ethics. It is where the different deontological

codes of each profession are elaborated.

Morality is the set of principles. criteria, norms and values that guide our

behavior. Is used for prescriptions, specific codes of behavior. Formulates

principles and norms that are reflected in moral values.

Deontology and Consequentialism

For the deontologist. What matters is whether or not you follow the rules.

Your action is right if and only if it conforms to the moral norms set forth by the

particular theory. It is wrong if it does not. Form many deontological theories,

some actions are forbidden no matter how good the consequences. Even if I

could save a thousand people, I cannot kill one. This can be contrasted with

consequentialism theories of ethics where actions are judged based on their

consequences. Often deontology in criticized for being too restrictive, while

consequentialism is disparaged for being too permissive.

Deontological Ethics by Kant

Immanuel Kant said that in order to determine what is right, we have to use

reason, and a sense of consideration for other people. Kant also said that most of the

time whether or not we ought to do something that isn’t really a moral choice, instead.

It’s just based on our desires. For example if I desire to get money then I have to get a

Job, Kant called this statements hypothetical imperatives.

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Hypothetical Imperatives. The hypothetical Imperatives are commands

that a person follows only if he or she desires a certain end and has chosen to

act on that desire but Kant viewed morality not in therms of hypothetical

imperatives but through what he called categorical imperatives.

Categorical Imperatives. The caterogical imperatives are commands

that a person must follow, regardless of it desires. Also are moral obligations

that are derived from pure reason. Kant said that caterogical imperatives can be

understood in terms of various formulations.

The Universalizability Principle. Act only according to a rule or

principle which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal

law without contradiction, universal law is something that must always be done

in similar situations.

The Formula of Humanity. Act so that you treat humanity, whether in

your own person or in that of another, always as an end and never as mere

means.

Deontological Ethics by Ross

The deontological theory he developed combined aspects of both utilitarian and

Kantian thinking and was very influential in the 20th century.

Ross suggested that we can know by intuition that we have a set of fundamental

duties, which he called prima facie duties. Ross’s emphasis on fundamental duties

makes his theory a form of deontology.

The correct moral principles of Ross’s theory are expressed in a list of six duties,

or ways everyone ought to act, like a list of commandments.

1. Duties depending on one’s prior actions: a.

a) Duty of fidelity (promise keeping)

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b) Duty of reparation (making up for prior wrongful acts)

2. Duty of gratitude (being grateful for others’ acts of kindness)

3. Duty of justice (being fair)

4. Duty of beneficence (benefiting or helping others)

5. Duty of self-improvement (education or practice)

6. Duty of non-maleficence (not harming others)

He believed that for any duty on the list, there could be circumstances in

which it would be “overridden” by one or another duty. People must care full

weigh all duties before doing an action.

Moral decisions should be guided by intellectual intuition. In order to do a right

action, people should choose the duty that seems to them most important.

Axiology and its relation with Deontology

Deontology related to axiology is one of the two main branches of normative

ethics. It deals with the space of man's freedom only subject to the responsibility

imposed by his conscience.

So the relationship between deontology and axiology is based on the set of moral

duties and obligations that professionals have, considering the values that they have,

whether objective or subjective.

The Divine Command Theory

The Divine Command Theory is the view that morality is somehow

dependent upon God, and that moral obligation consists in obedience to God’s

commands.

There are four assumptions of the divine command theory:

• There is a god.
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• God commands and forbids certain acts.

• An action is right if God commands it.

• People ascertain what God commands or forbids.

Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is based on the idea that happiness is good. There are two

types of utilitarianism, act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism.

Act utilitarianism

A person performs the acts that benefit the most people, regardless of

personal feelings or the societal constraints such as laws.

Rule utilitarianism

Rule utilitarianism takes into account the law and is concerned with

fairness. A rule utilitarian seeks to benefit the most people but through the

fairest and most just means available. It values justice and includes beneficence

at the same time.

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Conclusions

Deontology is simple to apply, just requires that people follow the rules

and do their duty and when conflict of duties arises, we have to act in

accordance with the prima facie duty which has a greater balance of rightness

over wrongness and we cannot forget to act based in The Universalizability

Principle and the Humanity Formula.

It is necessary to incorporate the principles and values to achieve a professional

practice of quality and respect for people, therefore the application of deontology is

important since they are rules that must be followed to regulate or guide a professional

activity and to improve performance in any field.

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References

WPSU - Penn State Public Media. (2019). Ethical Theories.

https://pagecentertraining.psu.edu/public-relations-ethics/introduction-to-public-
relations-ethics/lesson-1/ethical-theories/

Simpson, D. L. (2018). Ross, William David | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

https://iep.utm.edu/ross-wd/#:%7E:text=c.-
,Deontological%20Pluralism%20and%20Prima%20Facie%20Duties,or%20duti
es%20rather%20than%20outcomes.&text=In%20fact%20Ross%20uses%20it%
20somewhat%20apologetically.

McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin. (2020). Deontology.

Ethics Unwrapped. https://ethicsunwrapped.utexas.edu/glossary/deontology

Moore, G. (2020). Deontological Ethics. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-deontological/#DeoFoiCon

Libretexts. (2020). Utilitarianism. Humanities LibreTexts.

https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Philosophy/Book%3A_An_Introductio
n_to_Philosophy_(Payne)/10%3A_Right_Action/10.01%3A_Utilitarianism