What is deontology?

• A. Defines actions as right or wrong based on right-making characteristics, not consequences
• B. Judges actions by their outcomes rather than the nature of the act
• C. Focuses on happiness as the ultimate measure
• D. Emphasizes virtue over rules

Answer: (A)

Deontology holds that the morality of an action is determined by the action’s adherence to a rule or duty, not by the consequences that follow. In this view, certain acts are right or wrong in themselves because they embody right-making characteristics such as honesty, respect for persons, and the obligation to follow universal moral laws. The outcomes don’t justify breaking a rule, so telling the truth is right because it respects a duty to be truthful, even if lying could produce a good result. Kantian deontology adds that we should act from maxims that could be willed as universal laws and treat people as ends in themselves, not merely as means. The other descriptions describe different ethical approaches: judging actions by outcomes points to utilitarianism, as does focusing on happiness; and prioritizing virtue over rules aligns with virtue ethics.