Duty-Based Ethics

Definition

Duty-based ethics, also known as deontological ethics, is a normative ethical theory that judges the morality of an action based on the action's adherence to a rule or rules. It holds that the consequences of one's conduct are not the ultimate basis for judgment about the morality of that conduct, but rather the motives, duties, and rules behind the conduct.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Duty-based ethics focuses on the rightness or wrongness of an action itself, rather than the consequences of the action.
2. The primary principle of duty-based ethics is that individuals have a moral duty to act in accordance with a universal set of rules or principles.
3. Duty-based ethics emphasizes the importance of motives and intentions, rather than the outcomes of actions.
4. Immanuel Kant's categorical imperative is a foundational concept in duty-based ethics, which states that one should act only in ways that could become universal laws.
5. Duty-based ethics is often contrasted with consequentialist ethical theories, such as utilitarianism, which judge the morality of an action based on its outcomes.

Review Questions

• Explain how duty-based ethics differs from consequentialist ethical theories, such as utilitarianism.
  • Duty-based ethics, or deontology, focuses on the inherent rightness or wrongness of an action itself, based on adherence to moral rules or duties, rather than on the consequences of the action. In contrast, consequentialist theories like utilitarianism judge the morality of an action based on its outcomes, aiming to maximize overall happiness or well-being. Duty-based ethics emphasizes the importance of motives and intentions, while consequentialist theories prioritize the end results.
• Describe the role of the categorical imperative in duty-based ethics, and how it informs the evaluation of moral actions.
  • The categorical imperative, formulated by Immanuel Kant, is a central tenet of duty-based ethics. It states that one should 'act only in accordance with that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it become a universal law.' This principle requires individuals to consider whether their actions could be universally applied without contradiction, rather than basing decisions on the specific consequences. The categorical imperative encourages moral decision-making based on a sense of duty and adherence to universal ethical principles, rather than on the outcomes of one's actions.
• Analyze how duty-based ethics might approach a moral dilemma, such as whether it is permissible to lie to protect someone from harm, and explain the reasoning behind the ethical judgment.
  • From a duty-based ethical perspective, the morality of an action would be judged based on its adherence to moral rules or duties, rather than on the consequences. In the case of lying to protect someone from harm, a duty-based ethicist might argue that lying is inherently wrong, as it violates the moral duty of honesty. The potential positive outcome of protecting someone from harm would not outweigh the violation of this fundamental ethical principle. The duty-based approach would focus on the intent behind the action, rather than the end result, and would likely conclude that lying is impermissible, even if it leads to a desirable outcome. The reasoning is grounded in the belief that moral duties and rules must be upheld regardless of the consequences.

Related terms

Deontology: Deontology is the ethical theory that the morality of an action depends on the action's adherence to a rule or rules, rather than on the consequences of the action.

Categorical Imperative: The categorical imperative is a moral principle formulated by the philosopher Immanuel Kant, which states that one should 'act only in accordance with that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it become a universal law.'

Moral Duty: Moral duty refers to the ethical obligations and responsibilities that individuals have, which they must fulfill regardless of the consequences.