Lesson 21 : Deontology

Deontology is a duty based ethical theory which holds that the morality of an action depends on whether it follows moral rules, duties, and respect for rights, rather than its consequences. Rooted in the philosophy of Immanuel Kant, it emphasizes that actions must be guided by universal principles and that human beings should always be treated as ends in themselves, not merely as means. Deontological thinkers such as W. D. Ross, Robert Nozick, and T. M. Scanlon further developed this approach by highlighting duties, rights, and moral justification. In public administration, deontology underpins values like rule of law, integrity, and respect for fundamental rights, ensuring that governance remains principled and not driven by expediency, even though it may sometimes appear rigid in complex real world situations.