Deontologico

Deontologico refers to deontological ethics, a branch of normative ethics that emphasizes duties, rules, and moral principles over the consequences of actions. The term is derived from the Greek deon, meaning duty, and logos, meaning study or science, and is used in various languages to describe theories that center responsibility and obligation.

Core idea: an action is morally right if it conforms to a rule or duty that is inherently valid, not merely because it leads to good outcomes. Deontological theories regard some actions as intrinsically wrong or right, and moral agents have obligations to respect others’ rights and autonomy. Among the most influential formulations is Kantian deontology, which proposes the categorical imperative: act only according to principles that could be universal law and treat humanity, in oneself and others, as an end in itself.

Variants include pluralistic deontology, such as W. D. Ross’s account of prima facie duties. These include fidelity, reparation, gratitude, justice, beneficence, self-improvement, and non-maleficence, with context deciding which duty prevails when conflicts arise.

Applications: deontological reasoning informs professional codes of ethics in medicine, law, journalism, and public service, where duties like confidentiality, informed consent, truth-telling, and non-deception are prioritized.

Criticisms: strict rule adherence can lead to conflicts or undesirable outcomes; duties may be vague, absolute, or culturally contested; critics also question whether rules alone can address morally complex situations.

Overall, deontologico denotes ethical theories that foreground duties and rights as the primary basis for moral judgment, remaining a central reference point in moral philosophy and applied ethics.