What is deontology theory in nursing?

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Deontology deals with actions in a situation while utilitarianism examines the consequences of those actions. While polar opposites on the broad spectrum of ethics, deontology and utilitarianism are bioethical theories that can be applied to nursing practice and personal life situations.



Keeping this in consideration, how is deontology used in nursing?

Ethics in Nursing Essay. Kant's deontological perspective implies people are sensitive to moral duties that require or prohibit certain behaviors, irrespective of the consequences (Tanner, Medin, & Iliev, 2008). The main focus of deontology is duty: deontology is derived from the Greek word deon, meaning duty.

Similarly, what is deontology in healthcare? In contrast to the utilitarian concept, deontology is ethics of duty where the morality of an action depends on the nature of the action, i.e., harm is unacceptable irrespective of its consequences. This concept was introduced by a philosopher, Immanuel Kant and hence widely referred as Kantian deontology.

Similarly, it is asked, what is the theory of deontology?

In moral philosophy, deontological ethics or deontology (from Greek δέον, deon, "obligation, duty") is the normative ethical theory that the morality of an action should be based on whether that action itself is right or wrong under a series of rules, rather than based on the consequences of the action.

What is deontological ethics example?

Deontology states that an act that is not good morally can lead to something good, such as shooting the intruder (killing is wrong) to protect your family (protecting them is right). In our example, that means protecting your family is the rational thing to do—even if it is not the morally best thing to do.

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Why is deontology important?

In deontological ethics an action is considered morally good because of some characteristic of the action itself, not because the product of the action is good. Deontological ethics holds that at least some acts are morally obligatory regardless of their consequences for human welfare.

What is an example of beneficence?

In practice, nursing beneficence takes on many different forms. Examples might include: Resuscitating a drowning victim. Providing pain medication as soon as possible to an injured patient in the emergency room. Lifting side rails on a patient's hospital bed to prevent falls.

What are ethical theories in healthcare?

These may include prominent ethical theories such as moral relativism, utilitarianism, Kantian absolutism, Aristotle's virtue ethics and ethics of care, as well as the key ethical principles in healthcare (autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice).

What is deontology PDF?

Deontology is the idea that an action is morally right if it is done out of a sense of duty.

What is an example of utilitarianism?


Classical Utilitarianism
Being “bad” only increases the number of people in the world who are suffering. An example of utilitarianism that shows someone making an individual “good” choice that actually benefits the entire population can be seen in Bobby's decision to buy his sister, Sally, a car.

What is Kantian theory?

Kantian ethics refers to a deontological ethical theory ascribed to the German philosopher Immanuel Kant. Central to Kant's construction of the moral law is the categorical imperative, which acts on all people, regardless of their interests or desires. Kant formulated the categorical imperative in various ways.

What is utilitarianism and deontology?

Deontological ethics is an ethics system that judges whether an action is right or wrong based on a moral code. Consequences of those actions are not taken into consideration. In the other hand, utilitarian ethics state that a course of action should be taken by considering the most positive outcome.

What is teleological theory?

Teleological ethics, (teleological from Greek telos, “end”; logos, “science”), theory of morality that derives duty or moral obligation from what is good or desirable as an end to be achieved.

What are the basic principles of deontology?

The theory of deontology states we are morally obligated to act in accordance with a certain set of principles and rules regardless of outcome. In religious deontology, the principles derive from divine commandment so that under religious laws, we are morally obligated not to steal, lie, or cheat.

What are the rules of deontology?


Deontology is a theory that suggests actions are good or bad according to a clear set of rules. Its name comes from the Greek word deon, meaning duty. Actions that obey these rules are ethical, while actions that do not, are not. This ethical theory is most closely associated with German philosopher, Immanuel Kant.

What are the characteristics of deontology?

Deontological (or "duty-based") Ethics. The chief characteristic of deontological theories is: (moral) right (one's duty, how one should act) is defined independently of (moral) good. Deontological theories necessarily generate "categorical imperatives" (that is, duties independent of any theory of good).

What are the 4 ethical theories?

Four broad categories of ethical theory include deontology, utilitarianism, rights, and virtues. The deontological class of ethical theories states that people should adhere to their obliga- tions and duties when engaged in decision making when ethics are in play.

What is an example of consequentialism?

Consequentialism is an ethical theory that judges whether or not something is right by what its consequences are. Two examples of consequentialism are utilitarianism and hedonism. Utilitarianism judges consequences by a “greatest good for the greatest number” standard.

What is Kant's deontological theory?


Kant is responsible for the most prominent and well-known form of deontological ethics. According to Kant, the moral worth of an action is determined by the human will, which is the only thing in the world that can be considered good without qualification. Good will is exercised by acting according to moral duty/law.

When was deontology developed?

Modern deontological ethics was introduced by Immanuel Kant in the late 18th Century, with his theory of the Categorical Imperative.

What are the weaknesses of deontology?

weaknesses: not flexible idea. each situation is different thus the categorical imperative does not work, if you saying lying is morally wrong but a situation suggests that lying is the morally better thing to do one must lie. we like to look at the end result too much rather then the person and the morality of it.