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.
Certain actions are strictly prohibited. For instance, if "do not lie" is a moral rule, a deontologist would argue against lying even to save a life, because the act of lying is inherently wrong. Deontology
Deontology provides a stable framework for morality that protects individual rights and promotes personal integrity. By shifting the focus from unpredictable consequences to the clarity of duty and respect for others, it ensures that human dignity is never sacrificed for the "greater good." Act only according to that maxim whereby you
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 For instance, if "do not lie" is a
The most influential figure in deontology is Immanuel Kant. He proposed that morality is derived from reason and that we have a "Categorical Imperative"—a moral law that is unconditional and applies to everyone. Kant offered several formulations of this imperative:
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 is a school of ethical thought that defines the morality of an action based on its adherence to rules or duties, rather than the consequences of that action. Often summarized as "duty-based ethics," it argues that some actions are inherently right or wrong regardless of their outcomes. The Foundation of Duty