Which ethical framework is associated with deontology and focus on rational duties?

• A. Deontology
• B. Utilitarianism
• C. Virtue Ethics
• D. Social Contract Theory

Answer: (A)

Deontology is the ethical approach that centers on duties and moral rules. It holds that certain actions are right or wrong in themselves, based on rational principles that every moral agent can recognize as binding. The emphasis on rational duties means we judge an action by whether it aligns with these universal obligations, not by the outcomes it produces. For example, telling the truth or keeping a promise is required because a rational duty to be truthful and to honor commitments exists, even if lying or breaking a promise might sometimes yield better results. This contrasts with utilitarianism, which looks at consequences and overall well-being; virtue ethics, which emphasizes character and virtuous dispositions; and social contract theory, which grounds morality in mutual agreements among members of society. So the focus on rational duties is a hallmark of deontology.