• Philosophy -> Ethics and Morality

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Is deontology outdated in today's society or does it still have relevance?

Hildur Oakenford

Well, that's a tough question. On one hand, deontology, which is the philosophy of following moral rules and duties, seems to be facing some challenges in today's society. With the ever-changing times, some would argue that it's difficult to determine what is right and wrong in every situation based solely on a set of fixed rules. Additionally, our world is becoming increasingly diverse, meaning that what is considered "right" or "good" varies from person to person, which further complicates the matter.

On the other hand, deontology still plays a significant role in our society. Many laws and regulations are firmly rooted in deontological principles, such as the notion of "doing no harm" or "treating others as you would like to be treated." Moreover, it's a widely accepted ethical framework in professions such as medicine, where medical professionals are bound by a code of ethics to uphold certain moral principles, for example, the duty to prioritize the well-being of their patients above other interests.

Furthermore, deontology provides a sense of stability and consistency in our day-to-day lives. Imagine if people were free to do whatever they wanted without any constraints or ethical frameworks, chaos and anarchy would likely ensue. In this sense, deontology serves as a guiding light for individuals and society as a whole, helping to maintain order and structure.

So, to answer the question, I believe that deontology isn't outdated, but rather it has been forced to adapt to our ever-changing societies, making it more flexible and adaptive to new realities. While it may not be the sole answer to ethical dilemmas, it still plays an essential role in shaping and informing our behavior, and we need to continue to cherish its relevance and importance in our lives. At the end of the day, a combination of deontology, consequentialism, and virtue ethics may be needed to judge the rightness or wrongness of actions - but that conversation is for another time.