deontological
Morality from obligations
Deontological describes ethical theories that judge actions by their adherence to rules or duties rather than by their consequences.
A deontological framework might hold that lying is wrong regardless of outcome—even a lie that prevents harm.
The term contrasts with consequentialist approaches, where results determine rightness: Kant's ethics are deontological; utilitarianism is not.
Required moral task
- obligationRequired task or commitment
- KantGerman Enlightenment thinker
- categorical imperativeUnconditional ethical obligation
- moral lawCode of right conduct
right action · maxim · intrinsic · principle · rights-based · rule-following · intention · motive
Setting behavioral standards
- metaethicsPhilosophy examining moral foundations
- moral philosophyStudy of right conduct
- RossScottish promontory name
- prima facieApparently true initially
rationalist · a priori · formalism · absolutism · objectivism · prescriptivism · foundationalism
Healthcare moral principles
- informed consentPermission given with understanding
- truth-tellingCommunicating only facts
- promise-keepingFulfilling one's pledges
- legal rightsFreedoms protected by law
human rights · bioethics · non-maleficence · beneficence · justice · fairness · social contract · duties
Ethics judging by results
- utilitarianismGreatest-happiness moral theory
- teleologicalConcerning ultimate purpose
- outcomeFinal result of events
- resultsWhat follows from effort
ends justify means · cost-benefit · pragmatic · situational · relativism · flexibility · exceptions
duty
Required moral task
- obligationRequired task or commitment
- KantGerman Enlightenment thinker
- categorical imperativeUnconditional ethical obligation
moral law · right action · maxim · intrinsic · principle · rights-based · rule-following · intention · motive · respect
normative
Setting behavioral standards
- metaethicsPhilosophy examining moral foundations
- moral philosophyStudy of right conduct
- RossScottish promontory name
prima facie · rationalist · a priori · formalism · absolutism · objectivism · prescriptivism · foundationalism
medical ethics
Healthcare moral principles
- informed consentPermission given with understanding
- truth-tellingCommunicating only facts
- promise-keepingFulfilling one's pledges
legal rights · human rights · bioethics · non-maleficence · beneficence · justice · fairness · social contract · duties · responsibilities
consequentialism
Ethics judging by results
- utilitarianismGreatest-happiness moral theory
- teleologicalConcerning ultimate purpose
- outcomeFinal result of events
results · ends justify means · cost-benefit · pragmatic · situational · relativism · flexibility · exceptions
deontologicalconsequentialist
Ethics based on outcomes
teleological · utilitarian · pragmatist · situationist · relativist
deontologicalconsequentialist
Ethics based on outcomes
teleological · results-oriented · utilitarian · goal-directed · instrumental
deontologicalconsequentialist
Ethics based on outcomes
instrumentalist · cost-benefit · expedient · unprincipled · amoral