Deontological Systems Law and Legal Definition
Deontological Systems are based on the notion of a duty, or what is right, or rights. They are characterized by a focus upon adherence to independent moral rules or duties. Deontological ethics holds that at least some acts are morally wrong in themselves. For example, lying, breaking a promise, punishing the innocent, murder. It often finds expression in slogans such as "Duty for duty's sake." Deontological theories are often formulated in such a way that the rightness of an action consists in its conformity to a moral rule or command. To make the correct moral choices, we have to understand what our moral duties are and what correct rules exist to regulate those duties. When we follow our duty, we are behaving morally and when we fail to follow our duty, we are behaving immorally. Typically in any deontological system, our duties, rules, and obligations are determined by God. Being moral is thus a matter of obeying God. The most important exponent of deontological system is Immanuel Kant.
