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deontology

Deontology is defined as an ethical theory that the morality of an action should be based on whether that action itself is right or wrong under a series of rules, rather than based on the consequences of the action.

(noun)

An example of deontology is the belief that killing someone is wrong, even if it was in self-defense.

See deontology in Webster's New World College Dictionary

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

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

Related Forms:

deontological adjective

See deontology in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Ethical theory concerned with duties and rights.

Origin:

Origin: Greek deon, deont-, obligation, necessity (from neuter present participle of dein, to need, lack; see deu-¹ in Indo-European roots)

Origin: + -logy

Related Forms:

de·onˌto·logˈi·cal (-tə-lŏjˈĭ-kəl) adjective

deˌon·tolˈo·gist noun

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