Which statement best captures deontological ethics?

Which statement best captures deontological ethics?

• A. Morality is determined by the outcomes of actions.
• B. Actions are judged by their consequences.
• C. Actions should follow moral principles and duties.
• D. Ethics are relative to culture.

Answer: (C)

Deontological ethics judges morality by adherence to universal duties and moral rules, not by the outcomes of actions. The statement that actions should follow moral principles and duties captures this idea because it emphasizes doing what is right because it is right, guided by rules or obligations, rather than aiming for a desirable result. For example, telling the truth is considered the right thing to do because honesty is a duty, even if lying might produce a better outcome in a particular situation. In contrast, focusing on the results of actions or their consequences reflects consequentialist thinking, and ethics relative to culture points to cultural relativism, which are different frameworks. So the emphasis on following duties and principles is what defines deontological ethics.

Deontological ethics judges morality by adherence to universal duties and moral rules, not by the outcomes of actions. The statement that actions should follow moral principles and duties captures this idea because it emphasizes doing what is right because it is right, guided by rules or obligations, rather than aiming for a desirable result. For example, telling the truth is considered the right thing to do because honesty is a duty, even if lying might produce a better outcome in a particular situation. In contrast, focusing on the results of actions or their consequences reflects consequentialist thinking, and ethics relative to culture points to cultural relativism, which are different frameworks. So the emphasis on following duties and principles is what defines deontological ethics.