Deontology

Definition

• Ethical theory that uses rules to distinguish right from wrong.
• Associated with philosopher Immanuel Kant.

Key Principles

• Ethical actions follow universal moral laws:
  • "Don’t lie."
  • "Don’t steal."
  • "Don’t cheat."
• Simple application:
  • Requires individuals to follow rules and do their duty.
  • Aligns with natural intuition about ethics.

Comparison with Consequentialism

• Unlike consequentialism:
  • Deontology does not judge actions based on their results.
  • Avoids subjectivity and uncertainty:
    • Only requires adherence to set rules.

Limitations

• Rigid adherence to deontological rules can produce unacceptable results:
  • Example scenario:
    • A software engineer learns of an imminent nuclear missile launch that could start a war.
    • Hacking the network to cancel the launch is against professional ethics (lying/cheating).
    • Deontological rules advise against breaking into the system.
    • Outcome of following rules: potential mass casualties (thousands may die).

Conclusion

• While deontology provides clear guidelines, it can overlook significant consequences of actions, making ethical decisions complex.