Free Essays on Deontological

DEONTOLOGICAL - This type of theory claims that there are features within the actions themselves which determine whether or not they are right. These features define the extent to which the actions conform with recognized moral duties. For example, driving while drunk violates the duty to â€Å"above all do no harm.† The duties derive from various sources, such as religion, biology, psychology, metaphysics, culture, language, etc. Depending on the deontological theory, these duties may be absolute (no exceptions), prima facie (can only be overridden by a more important duty), or conditional (only hold under specified circumstances). Deontological theories do not consider consequences to be important when determining whether or not an action is ethical. It doesn’t matter if the drunk driver made it home safely. Driving drunk was still wrong because the intention to drive drunk was wrong (or to drink alcohol when one knows one needs to drive). Immanuel Kant's ethical theory is deontological. He claims that actions are only morally right when they are done out of duty. He sees moral duties as unchanging laws for human conduct. He believes that morality is derived from the ability to think rationally, which enables beings to be free. If one is not free, then one cannot be held responsible. Thus only free individuals are moral agents and all free individuals are capable of acting out of reason. Kant’s moral theory is largely focused on protecting and promoting the free action of rational beings. Three formulations of his categorical imperative are derived from this moral foundation: (Kant) Always act out of duty, in accordance with a good will (I.e. One does the right thing because one recognizes that it is the right thing to do, not because it pleases you to do it or will promote good consequences.). (pp. 25-26.) Always act as if the maxim of thy action were to become by thy will a Universal Law of Nature (i.e. Are you willing to... Free Essays on Deontological Free Essays on Deontological DEONTOLOGICAL - This type of theory claims that there are features within the actions themselves which determine whether or not they are right. These features define the extent to which the actions conform with recognized moral duties. For example, driving while drunk violates the duty to â€Å"above all do no harm.† The duties derive from various sources, such as religion, biology, psychology, metaphysics, culture, language, etc. Depending on the deontological theory, these duties may be absolute (no exceptions), prima facie (can only be overridden by a more important duty), or conditional (only hold under specified circumstances). Deontological theories do not consider consequences to be important when determining whether or not an action is ethical. It doesn’t matter if the drunk driver made it home safely. Driving drunk was still wrong because the intention to drive drunk was wrong (or to drink alcohol when one knows one needs to drive). Immanuel Kant's ethical theory is deontological. He claims that actions are only morally right when they are done out of duty. He sees moral duties as unchanging laws for human conduct. He believes that morality is derived from the ability to think rationally, which enables beings to be free. If one is not free, then one cannot be held responsible. Thus only free individuals are moral agents and all free individuals are capable of acting out of reason. Kant’s moral theory is largely focused on protecting and promoting the free action of rational beings. Three formulations of his categorical imperative are derived from this moral foundation: (Kant) Always act out of duty, in accordance with a good will (I.e. One does the right thing because one recognizes that it is the right thing to do, not because it pleases you to do it or will promote good consequences.). (pp. 25-26.) Always act as if the maxim of thy action were to become by thy will a Universal Law of Nature (i.e. Are you willing to...