Republic of the Philippines

Bicol University
COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES & PHILOSOPHY
Philosophy Department
Daraga, Albay
ISO 9001:2015
TUV Rheinland ID 910863351

DEONTOLOGY

PREPARED BY

MARK M. GATUS, LPT

MARCK ZALDY O. CAMBA, LPT
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Introduction

Most of us think that there are obligations that we need to fulfil, such to do what is just
and not commit unethical acts. Duty theories base morality on specific, foundational principles
of obligation. These theories are sometimes called deontological, from the Greek word deon,
or duty, in view of the foundational nature of our duty or obligation. They are considered
as non-consequentialist since these principles are obligatory, regardless of the consequences
that might follow from our actions. In this module, we will discuss the basic principles of
deontology, highlighting Immanuel Kant’s Categorical Imperative. We will also use its
principles to address and resolve moral dilemmas.

What Will You Learn?

After completing the module, you will be able to:

1. Explain and articulate the basic principles of deontology

2. Apply the principles of deontology in evaluating moral issues

Activities

Let’s Read!

• .

Deontology

Deontology sometimes known as duty ethics holds that principles are obligatory,
irrespective of the consequences that might follow from our actions (Fieser 2020). Deontology
places special emphasis on the relationship between duty and the morality of action
(Evangelista & Mabaquiao 2020, p. 61). According to deontological ethics, an act is deemed
right or wrong independent of the consequences and is done because one has a duty to do it.
It is in contrast with consequentialist ethics, such as utilitarianism, where an act is deemed to
be right or wrong based on the consequences/outcome of doing it. Hence, Deontology is duty-
based ethics where the basis of moral evaluation is on the act or duty rather than the
consequences.

Prepared by:
Mark M. Gatus & Marck Zaldy O. Camba
Faculty Members, Philosophy Department
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Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) is a central figure in moral philosophy. In his book The
Foundations of the Metaphysics of Morals (1785) is Kant’s “search for and establishment of
the supreme principle of morality.” (McCormick 2020). For Kant, the only feature that gives
action moral worth is motive behind that action, not the outcome that is achieved. Furthermore,
Kant distinguished two kinds of law produced by reason, thus reason can provide hypothetical
imperative and categorical imperative. Note that moral law cannot be merely hypothetical,
hence, vital to the notion of morality is the categorical imperative.

Three formulations of Immanuel Kant’s Categorical Imperative

The three formulations of Kant’s theory of categorical imperatives are the following: (1)
Principle of Universal Law, (2) Principle of Ends, and (3) Principle of Autonomy.

The first formulation is “act only that maxim, whereby thou canst at the same time, will
that it should become a universal law” or known as the Principle of Universal Law. This simply
means that an individual’s actions and duties should not just be applicable or true to that
individual, but it should be the same to all. This is quite related to the Golden Rule “do unto
others as we would want them to do unto us. Thus, an individual’s right course of actions must
be impartial and beyond his/her self-interest, therefore he/she must consistently will a course
of action which is morally acceptable to all and can be applied by all, hence, must be a
universal moral action.

The second formulation is “act as to treat humanity, whether in your person or in that
of any other, in every case as an end and never as merely means”, or known as the Principle
of Ends. This simply asserts that every person must be recognized and treated as a subject
with inherent dignity and therefore must be treated with respect at all times. A person should
not be treated as an object, by object here it means the person is considered as a tool or a
means towards an end. The second formulation emphasizes the imperative that individuals
are subjects and must be treated as ends in themselves, not as a means towards an end.

The third formulation is, “act as if you were always through your maxims a law-making
member of the kingdom of ends”, or known as Principle of Autonomy. This principle is quite
vital since it emphasizes that moral rules which are shared by members of the community
must be accepted willingly. In other words, morality must not be forced to be followed by
individuals but rather must be accepted by their free will. Thus, individuals must essentially
understand and freely accept the moral duties, in other words, act out of their good will.
Moreover, individuals must regard oneself as a maker of a universal law. These morals laws
must be based on reasons and not on personal desires or inclinations, and of course, must
for the benefit and application of all.

Prepared by:
Mark M. Gatus & Marck Zaldy O. Camba
Faculty Members, Philosophy Department
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For further discussion, please read the following:

• “Kantian Deontology” by Joseph Kranak in Matthews, G. (2020). Introduction to

Philosophy: Ethics. Available online: https://press.rebus.community/intro-to-phil-
ethics/

• “Deontological Ethics” by Larry Alexander and Michael Moore Available online:

https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-deontological/

Here are some guide questions for your readings:

1. What is Deontology? How is different from consequentialist ethics?

2. How did Immanuel Kant differentiate categorical from hypothetical imperative?
3. What are the three formulations of Kant’s Categorical Imperative?

(Note: Do not limit yourself to the suggested readings I gave, you can browse the internet for
other readings/credible sources about the topic)

Let’s Watch! To further supplement your understanding about the topic, please watch the
online video lecture:

• Kant and Categorical Imperatives by Crash Course Philosophy. Available online:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bIys6JoEDw&t=82s

• Magisterial Lectures | Oscar G Bulaong Jr PhD – Deontology. Available Online:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5HLUSBCAKQ&t=361s

• “Joker’s Social Experiment” which is available on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=291&v=K4GAQtGtd_0&feature=e
mb_logo

Try this! What are your thoughts on the video “Joker’s Social Experiment”? video, If you
were in the position of the prisoner or hostage of the ship, what would be the best
plausible moral decision?

LEARNING OUTPUT 5 (Question #3)

Note: (1) Please accomplish this with your assigned group. Evaluate and brainstorm
insights that may be drawn from it from the case below. You can use platforms such as
Google Meet or Facebook Messenger to facilitate your discussion. (2) Each member
should submit the same group answer/paper individually. Please follow this format:

a. Group Members:

Prepared by:
Mark M. Gatus & Marck Zaldy O. Camba
Faculty Members, Philosophy Department
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i. GM1: Full name, Course & Block

ii. GM2: Full name, Course & Block
iii. GM3: Full name, Course & Block

[Case #]
[Answer]

Case:
Gretchen is a preacher in their church. She teaches children the bible and there include the
Ten Commandments. It is said that killing a person is absolutely wrong. One day she found
out that she has an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy is a type of pregnancy that occurs
outside the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tubes, which is not normal for a fetus to
develop. If this happens, the development of the fetus will definitely endanger the mother.
Thus, if Gretchen continues with her pregnancy, then there is a big possibility that she will die.
According to experts, the best way to save Gretchen’s life is to abort the fetus, which
necessarily implies killing the fetus. If she will not abort the fetus, then Gretchen as well as the
fetus will die. Using the deontological framework, evaluate the given moral issues below
and provide the best and plausible moral decision.
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Prepared by:
Mark M. Gatus & Marck Zaldy O. Camba
Faculty Members, Philosophy Department
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References

Evangelista, F., and N. Mabaquiao (2020). Ethics: Theories and Applications. Anvil
Publishing Inc.

Fieser, J. (n.d.). Ethics. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

https://iep.utm.edu/ethics/#SH2b

McCormick, M. (n.d.). Kant, Immanuel: Metaphysics. Internet Encyclopedia of

Philosophy. https://iep.utm.edu/kantmeta/#H8

Matthews, G. (2020). Introduction to Philosophy: Ethics. Available online:

https://press.rebus.community/intro-to-phil-ethics/

Suggested Readings:

Alexander & Moore (2020) Deontological Ethics. The Stanford Encyclopedia of

Philosophy (Winter 2020 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.) Available online:
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-deontological/

Matthews, G. (2020). Introduction to Philosophy: Ethics. Available online:

https://press.rebus.community/intro-to-phil-ethics/

Video References:

CrashCourse. (2016, November 14). Kant & Categorical Imperatives: Crash Course
Philosophy #35 [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bIys6JoEDw&t=82s

Areté Ateneo. (2020, September 4). Magisterial Lectures | Oscar G Bulaong Jr PhD -
Deontology [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5HLUSBCAKQ&t=361s

George Tolman. (2010, December 12). Joker’s Social Experiment [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=291&v=K4GAQtGtd_0&featur
e=emb_logo

Prepared by:
Mark M. Gatus & Marck Zaldy O. Camba
Faculty Members, Philosophy Department