Deontology <2026 Edition>

Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law. In other words, if you wouldn't want everyone else to do it (like lying or stealing), you shouldn't do it yourself.

Modern deontology often emphasizes human rights. If someone has a "right" to life, it is your "duty" not to kill them, no matter the circumstances. Criticisms and Complexity Deontology

At its core, deontology comes from the Greek word deon , meaning "duty." Unlike consequentialism (like Utilitarianism), which judges an act by its results, deontology focuses on the and the act itself . For a deontologist, doing the right thing is a matter of following a moral law, even if doing so results in a less desirable outcome for the majority. Kant and the Categorical Imperative Act only according to that maxim whereby you