deontology
/ˌdiː.ɒnˈtɒl.ə.dʒi/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A moral theory that says actions are right or wrong based on duties and rules, not only on results. It focuses on what people should do.
- Deontology says some actions are wrong, even if they help people.
- Her ethics class compared deontology and utilitarianism.
- He follows deontology when making strict workplace decisions.
Adinary Nuance
Deontology is often compared with utilitarianism and consequentialism. Those theories judge actions by results, but deontology judges them by duty, rules, or principles. Writers choose this word when they want a more exact term than just “ethics” or “morality.”
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- đạo đức bổn phận
- Spanish
- deontología
- Chinese
- 道义论
- Japanese
- 義務論
- Korean
- 의무론
Etymology
The word comes from Greek deon, meaning “duty,” and -logy, meaning “study.” It entered English in the 19th century in philosophy.
Common phrases
deontological ethicsdeontological theorya deontological view
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is deontology a common word in English?
- It is not common in daily speech. You will see it mainly in philosophy, law, and academic writing.
- What is the difference between deontology and utilitarianism?
- Deontology focuses on duty and rules. Utilitarianism focuses on the results of an action.
- Can I use deontology in business writing?
- Yes, but mostly in formal or academic business writing. It sounds too technical for everyday email.
- How do I use deontology in a sentence?
- Use it as a noun: “The course covers deontology and moral responsibility.”