Ethics - Duty-Based Ethics: A Framework for Making Decisions

Deciding What's Right: Ethics for Daniels Scholars


The pros and cons of duty-based ethics Using duty-based ethics in decision making

Duty-based ethics also are called “deontological” ethics. The Greek word deon means duty or obligation. The main proponent of this ethical framework was the German philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724–1804). Kant believed that there are higher principles that are good in every time, every culture, and every situation. When faced with an ethical dilemma, he believes we should ask ourselves: “To whom do I owe a duty and what duty do I owe them?”

To answer these questions, Kant proposed that we use reason to identify the higher principles we should live and act by. He named two principles, or categorical imperatives, that would guide all our actions in this ethical framework:

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Universal applicability. We should not act one way in some situations or with some people and another way in others. Our actions should be consistent across the board.

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Respectful of others. In Kant’s view, the fact that human beings can reason gives us greater value than anything else. Never treat people as a means to an end, even if you believe the ends are positive. For example, if you acted in accordance with duty-based ethics, you would never lie about one candidate in a political campaign because you believed the other candidate is a better person and should be elected.

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