deontology

American  

[dee-on-tol-uh-jee] / ˌdi ɒnˈtɒl ə dʒi /

noun

1. ethics, especially that branch dealing with duty, moral obligation, and right action.

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deontology British  

/ ˌdiːɒnˈtɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the branch of ethics dealing with duty, moral obligation, and moral commitment

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Other Word Forms

• deontological
  adjective
• deontologist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of deontology

First recorded in 1820–30; from Greek deont- (stem of déon “binding,” neuter present participle of deîn “to bind, tie, fetter”) + -o- ( def. ) + -logy

Example Sentences

Deontology and utilitarianism seem to offer an overly simplistic account of what is good.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

Deontology focuses on duties or rules to determine the rightness of an action.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

In this volume, pp. 1-108 make up the treatise on Ethics: pp. 109-176 that on Deontology.

From Moral Philosophy by Rickaby, Joseph , S. J.

To Bowring we also owe the Deontology, which professes to represent Bentham's dictation.

From The English Utilitarians, Volume I. by Stephen, Leslie, Sir

The Deontology or Science of Morality was published by Bowring in two vols. 8vo in 1834, but omitted from the Works, as the original edition was not exhausted.

From The English Utilitarians, Volume I. by Stephen, Leslie, Sir