Utilitarianism and deontological theories are ethics systems that specify and justify moral rules and principles. Utilitarianism theory deals with the moral action whose outcome benefits the highest number of people. On the contrary, deontology emphasizes the moral value of action, duty, commitment, and responsibility. However, morals and consequences of one’s actions and behavior are dealt with in both systems despite their outcomes. Even with several similarities, utilitarianism and deontology ethics systems differs in various ways.
The theory of utilitarianism was established by John Stuart Mill and Jeremy Bentham and later improved. In contrast, deontology is focused on whether an act is either wrong or right. Nonetheless, utilitarianism believes that an act is good when its results make a significant number of people happy (Mintz & Morris, 2020). In other words, the action is termed to be useful in utilitarianism when the result is excellent. The correctness of an act depends entirely on the results rather than morals and principles. Utilitarianism considers the results to be more worthy than the action itself. Therefore, pursuing cheerfulness in benefit for the society is said to be the most decent and essential thing to do.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Nonetheless, theologians and moral philosophers have discovered that utilitarianism is defective. The usage of utilitarianism has a significant disadvantage since some immoral things and behaviors are justified as moral (Mintz & Morris, 2020). For example, an innocent person can be given a punishment that he does not deserve as long as this activity is beneficial to society or produces maximum benefits. In this case, the ethic system of deontology is preferred and encouraged by several thinkers. Morality in deontology is considered to be in regards to the scripture, natural moral law, and conscience. Deontology is derived from the Greek word “deon,” which means a binding commitment.
The deontology ethic system is based on three critical structures. The first structure is that an action is to be done for the sake of duty. The inherent moral structure of the type of action or rule to be made determines if that action is right or wrong. For instance, human beings have an obligation not to engage in activities such as murder (Exodus 20:13-17), breaking of a promise or punishment of an innocent person due to their corrupt nature. In contrast, utilitarianism allows a person to confidently perform the above activities if it generates maximum benefits (Mintz & Morris, 2020). Deontology is highly dependent on biblical scriptures, and this theory was developed by the philosopher Immanuel Kant. The deontology ethics system emphasizes that both the action and the result of the actions are to be ethical. Unlike utilitarianism, the morality of the work is of higher value and worth than the result itself.
The second structure deontology is based upon is that human beings are to be treated as items of inherent ethical value. The moral value should be applied to every individual in an equal measure. Besides, the justification of morality is done by human beings and not the result of the action (Romans 12:9-10). This structure suggests that a given action is taken if the intention is made to optimize pleasure versus pain. Moral declaration and statements are instructions that remain constant for any action in concern. Keeping our promises, protecting property and life are suggestions of moral statement.
On the other hand, utilitarianism states that all actions should produce the most significant benefit to the maximum number of people regardless of whether it will harm an innocent person is much supported by a significant number of people (Playford, Roberts & Playford, 2015). In contrast, the deontology ethics system, which works on the principle that actions are based upon moral features and not its impact. For instance, lying is considered to be immoral, even when it generates desired results. The ethical behavior in utilitarianism is believed to be embedded in the ethical society’s norms. Utilitarianism is seen as a teleological theory suggesting that the results of the action determine if an act is right (Playford, Roberts & Playford, 2015). If the consequence of an action is desirable, a person will consider his act to be right, and vice versa is true. Therefore, the means to achieve the right decision is secondary and is reflected by the nature of utilitarianism. Differences between happiness and pleasure are encompassed in this theory.
Besides their differences, deontology and utilitarianism have some similarities. Both ethics systems can be used and applied in society and are considered to be essential in making moral decisions. However, in utilitarianism, results determine the morality of actions while in deontology, the right action is determined by the nature of the act. (Playford, Roberts & Playford, 2015). However, both can be used universally. In both ethics strategies, the consequences of actions taken are to be highly considered if they are universal.
In conclusion, both utilitarianism and deontology have their limitations. The former deals with the justification of a smaller group of people to benefit a larger one while the latter is criticized since it is rigid, and exceptional situations are not allowed. Both utilitarianism and deontology seem common ethical structures. However, deontology contradicts the notion of “the end justifies the means” often used in utilitarianism. Utilitarianism and deontology are consequence-focused philosophies.
References
Biblica. (2020). Genesis 1 - New International Version (NIV). New International Version . https://www.biblica.com/bible/
Mintz, S. M. & Morris, R. E. (2020). Ethical obligations and decision making in accounting (5 th Edition). New York: McGraw Hill Education.
Playford R.C., Roberts T. & Playford E.D. (2015). Deontological and utilitarian ethics: a brief introduction in the context of disorders of consciousness. Disability and Rehabilitation, 37(21), 2006-2011. doi: 10.3109/09638288.2014.9
