The moral values of a society are greatly influenced by the moral rules that guides such society. Hence, what is acceptable as morally right in one society may be said to be morally bad in another society. There are also instances whereby there are no universally accepted moral rules. The implication of this is that there will be inconsistency when it comes to identifying morally right or wrong actions. Deontologism is an ethical theory that emphasizes that morality be based on following rules and duties and not the end result of an action. It asserts that actions are innately wrong or right in themselves, regardless of the rewards or consequences of such actions. There are actions that are intrinsically right or wrong regardless of their outcome, such actions are therefore universally binding on moral agents. This study is therefore an attempt to investigate the theory of deontologism and argues for its indispensable role in preserving normative morality. Deontologism plays this role through its principle of basing morality in duty, and universal principles. The categorical imperative of Immanuel Kant and Ross is used, emphasizing the necessity of a normative morality, whose moral standards can be universally applied in order to bring about justice, ethical responsibility and social order.
Key words: Deontologism, Normative Morality, Duty, Ethical Theory, Universal.
Written By:
Emmanuel Adetokunbo OGUNDELE
Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies,
Augustine University, P.M.B. 1010, Ilara-Epe 106101,
Lagos State, Nigeria.
emmanuel.ogundele@augustineuniversity.edu.ng