Question

Deontology (Duty / Rules):
- Right/wrong depends on rules & duties.
- Always act according to moral law.

Utilitarianism (Outcomes):
- Right/wrong depends on outcomes.
- Choose what helps the most people.

Some Notes:

Answer 1

Here are some notes that elaborate on the concepts of Deontology and Utilitarianism, along with their implications and criticisms:

### Deontology (Duty / Rules)
1. **Principles**:
- Emphasizes moral rules and duties. Actions are inherently right or wrong, and individuals have obligations to uphold these duties.
- Originated from Immanuel Kant, who proposed the "Categorical Imperative," which promotes acting according to maxims that one would want to become universal laws.

2. **Key Features**:
- **Moral Absolutes**: Certain actions (e.g., lying, stealing, murder) are deemed wrong regardless of the consequences.
- **Intentions Matter**: The morality of an action is judged by the agent's intentions rather than outcomes.
- **Respect for Persons**: Individuals must be treated with respect and not merely as means to an end.

3. **Implications**:
- Provides clear guidelines for moral decision-making, promoting consistency and accountability.
- Encourages individuals to uphold ethical principles, even in difficult situations.

4. **Criticisms**:
- Can lead to rigid moral judgments that ignore context and consequences.
- May result in morally troubling situations—e.g., adhering to a rule may lead to harmful outcomes.

### Utilitarianism (Outcomes)
1. **Principles**:
- Emphasizes the outcomes or consequences of actions. The right action is the one that produces the greatest good for the greatest number.
- Associated with philosophers like Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, who advocated for "the greatest happiness principle."

2. **Key Features**:
- **Consequentialist**: Focuses solely on the outcomes of actions—an action is right if it leads to positive results.
- **Aggregate Well-Being**: Seeks to maximize overall happiness or utility, considering the interests of all affected individuals.

3. **Implications**:
- Flexible and pragmatic approach to ethics; allows for adaptation based on circumstances.
- Encourages consideration of all stakeholders in decision-making, promoting empathy and social welfare.

4. **Criticisms**:
- Can justify morally questionable actions if they produce favorable outcomes (e.g., sacrificing an individual for the greater good).
- Measuring happiness and comparing utilities can be complex and subjective.
- Potentially neglects individual rights and justice in favor of overall utility.

### Balancing the Two
- Many ethical dilemmas require consideration of both deontological and utilitarian perspectives.
- Some philosophers propose a hybrid approach, suggesting that adherence to certain rules (deontological) can often lead to positive outcomes (utilitarian), fostering a more comprehensive ethical analysis.

### Application in Real-Life Scenarios
- **Medical Ethics**: Deciding to prioritize patients based on who will benefit the most (utilitarian) versus the obligation to treat each patient equally (deontological).
- **Environmental Ethics**: Weighing the duty to protect the environment against the need for economic development that may improve overall quality of life.

By understanding these concepts and their frameworks, individuals can better navigate moral dilemmas and ethical decision-making in various contexts.