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deontology definition

de·on·tol·ogy (dē′än täl′ə jē)

noun

the ethical doctrine which holds that the worth of an action is determined as by its conformity to some binding rule rather than by its consequences

Etymology: < Gr deon (gen. deontos), that which is binding, necessity < dein, to bind (see diadem) + -logy

Related Forms:

  • deontological de·on′·to·log′i·cal (dē än′tə läj′i kəl) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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