Abstract

A CRITIQUE OF DEONTOLOGICAL THEORIES

SIMANCHALA PRADHAN

Volume: 5 Issue: 2 2015

Abstract:

Deontological Theories ruminate on actions along with their respective principles. According to these theories ‘’ actions themselves are inherently good or evil, regardless to the consequences of actions.’’1The rightness or wrongness of every action depends on the principles which is intrinsically prevailed in it. This is how the moral system of deontological theories rest on a set of principles. In other words deontological ethics is a rule driven system, with moral status contingent on adherence to principles. This shows that deontological ethical system have their locus on a set of rules or principles that inheriting actions. However these principles vary from theory to theory. Divine command Theory holds that the rightness or wrongness of an action depends on God’s will, i.e, whatever action is affirmed by God’s will it is considered as right action. On the other hand the action which is forbidden by God is a wrong action. This shows that according divine command theory actions are to be accorded with God’s command. Actdeontological theories hold that `` actions are moral or non-moral depending on the circumstances where they are carried on. ‘’ Other deontological theories coup with nonaggression principles recommending no moral justification for the initiation of force against another person. These principles refrain from physical violence, extortion, abridgement of speech. Deontological libertarian such as Murray Rothbard is championed in this respect. It is obvious that it is possible for an action or a set of principles to be morally right or wrong even if it does not promote greatest possible balance of good over evil for self , society .Hence deontological theories seek to identify a supreme principle of morality independent of good, pleasure ,i.e, consequences of the actions.

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