Deontological versus Teleological Theories
Understanding Deontological Theories
Definition
Deontological theories
Deontological theories focus on the inherent rightness or wrongness of actions, independent of their consequences.
- Duty and Rules: Actions are morally right if they align with specific duties or rules.
- Intrinsic Morality: The morality of an action is determined by its nature, not its outcomes.
Kantian Ethics
Definition
Categorical Imperative
A universal moral law that applies to all rational beings.
Key Formulations:
- Universalizability: Act only according to maxims that can be universalized.
- Humanity as an End: Treat people as ends in themselves, never as means.
Lying is always wrong in Kantian ethics, even if it could prevent harm, because it cannot be universalized without contradiction.
Divine Command Theory
- Moral Authority: Actions are right if they align with divine commands.
- Dependency on God: Morality is grounded in the will of a divine being.
Divine command theory faces challenges like the Euthyphro dilemma, which questions whether actions are good because God commands them or if God commands them because they are good.
Modern Deontologists: Frances Kamm
- Principle of Permissible Harm: Distinguishes between causing harm as a means to an end and as a side effect.
- Moral Intuitions: Emphasizes the role of intuitions in ethical decision-making.
Deontological theories often emphasize intentions and principles over outcomes, providing a strong foundation for rights-based ethics.
