deontologia

Deontology, or ethics of duty, is a branch of moral philosophy that evaluates the morality of actions based on whether they conform to rules or duties, rather than on their consequences. It holds that certain actions are morally obligatory, forbidden, or permissible because of their intrinsic nature or the duties they express.

Central to deontological theories is the idea that moral duties arise from rational requirements or from respecting the intrinsic worth of persons. Immanuel Kant is a pivotal figure, arguing that moral principles must be universalizable and that one should act according to maxims that could be willed as universal laws, known as the categorical imperative. A key moral obligation in many deontological frameworks is to treat rational beings as ends in themselves, not merely as means.

Deontology contrasts with consequentialist theories, such as utilitarianism, which judge actions by outcomes. In practice, deontologists may recognize conflicting duties and seek to resolve them through principles such as prima facie duties—fidelity, reparation, justice, beneficence, non-maleficence, and others identified by thinkers like W. D. Ross.

Deontologia professional, or professional deontology, applies these ideas to occupations governed by codes of conduct. In fields such as medicine, law, and journalism, duties include confidentiality, informed consent, truth-telling, and the duty to avoid harm, regardless of potential gains from breaching them.

Critics argue that strict deontology can be rigid in complex situations or lead to counterintuitive results, while proponents maintain that clear duties provide moral anchors and protect individuals from instrumental treatment. Deontology remains a foundational perspective in ethical theory and professional ethics.