Which description best defines duty-oriented moral reasoning?

Which description best defines duty-oriented moral reasoning?

• A. It is a decision-making theory that states that the rightness or wrongness of the act depends on its intrinsic nature and not the outcome of the act
• B. It is a theory that the outcome justifies the means
• C. It is a theory focusing on social contract
• D. It is a theory of moral relativism

Answer: (A)

Duty-oriented moral reasoning, also known as deontology, holds that the morality of an action rests on its intrinsic nature and whether it follows a moral rule or duty, not on the outcomes it produces. The description that rightness or wrongness depends on the act’s inherent character fits this view because it emphasizes what the action is, rather than what happens because of it. This stands in contrast to outcome-focused theories (where the ends can justify the means), social contract theories (morality arising from agreements among people), and moral relativism (truth varies with culture). A classic illustration is choosing to tell the truth because honesty is a duty, even if lying could lead to better consequences, since the action itself aligns with a moral obligation.

Duty-oriented moral reasoning, also known as deontology, holds that the morality of an action rests on its intrinsic nature and whether it follows a moral rule or duty, not on the outcomes it produces. The description that rightness or wrongness depends on the act’s inherent character fits this view because it emphasizes what the action is, rather than what happens because of it. This stands in contrast to outcome-focused theories (where the ends can justify the means), social contract theories (morality arising from agreements among people), and moral relativism (truth varies with culture). A classic illustration is choosing to tell the truth because honesty is a duty, even if lying could lead to better consequences, since the action itself aligns with a moral obligation.