deontista

A deontista is a person who adheres to deontological ethics, a normative ethical theory that evaluates the morality of actions based on adherence to duties, rules, or obligations rather than the consequences of those actions. Deontists argue that certain actions are morally required or forbidden because of their intrinsic nature or due to authorities, principles, or universal moral laws.

The term derives from deontologia, the study of duty. In the history of philosophy, deontology is most closely associated with Immanuel Kant, who argued that moral duties are derived from rational principles and the categorical imperative. Other thinkers, such as W. D. Ross, developed pluralist versions of deontology, introducing prima facie duties that can conflict and must be weighed in context. Within the broader field, deontologists may emphasize rule-based ethics (rule deontology) or the primacy of moral duties over outcomes (act deontology).

Key concepts for deontists include moral duties, rights, and universalizability. Actions are judged not solely by their results but by whether they conform to obligatory norms or moral laws. Deontic logic, a formal tool, is often used to model obligations, permissions, and prohibitions within deontological frameworks.

Variants and applications vary: some deontists focus on fundamental duties, others on professional or legal codes of conduct. Deontological reasoning is influential in areas such as bioethics, business ethics, and law, where adherence to duties and rights often guides decision-making more than prospective outcomes.

Overall, a deontista emphasizes the primacy of duty and rule-consistent action as the core of moral evaluation.