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

• deontologist
  noun
• deontological
  adjective

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

At the same time, while Ethics indicate a valuable proof of the existence of God as the requisite Object of Happiness, Deontology affords a proof of Him as the requisite Lawgiver.

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

In a posthumous work, entitled Deontology, his principles were farther illustrated, chiefly with reference to the minor morals and amiable virtues.

From Moral Science; a Compendium of Ethics by Bain, Alexander

Deontology is the study of moral obligation, or the fixing of what logicians call the comprehension of the idea I ought.

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