Deontology

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Deontology covers those theories that emphasize moral
duties and rules, rather than consequences (from the
Greek deon, meaning ‘duty’). Perhaps the best known
deontological principles are those set down in the Ten
Commandments.
Deontology is associated with Immanuel Kant
(1724–1804). He believed that morality was not dependent
on how much happiness resulted from particular
actions. Rather, he thought morality was something
humans imposed upon themselves because they are
rational beings. Although Christian, Kant did not
believe that God was necessary for moral law.
Kant argued that we can find out which moral rules
to obey by using our powers of reason. He said that by
seeing whether our desires can be applied universally,
we can tell whether or not they follow rational moral
principles. This ‘universalizability’ test is called the ‘categorical
imperative’. It states:
Act only on that maxim through which you can at
the same time will that it should become a
universal law.
This means that we should behave in such a way that we
can imagine everyone can behave. For example, if our
‘maxim’ or ‘desire’ is to ‘steal other people’s things when
we want them’, we need to consider whether or not this
maxim could be held for everyone. Kant said that if
everyone stole things whenever they wanted, the whole
notion of theft and personal property would collapse; if
this happens, the concept of ‘stealing’ becomes illogical.
The same holds for the idea of lying. Telling a lie only
‘works’ if people generally tell the truth. If everyone lied
whenever it might benefit them, then this general belief
in truth-telling would collapse and lying would itself
become pointless. Therefore, Kant said that the moral
law obliges us not to steal and not to lie.

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