Deontological Moral Theory

Abstract

Deontological moral theories are contrasted with teleological ones. The latter depend on or begin with an idea of the good and derive notions of right and wrong from that idea. Consequentialist moral theories are teleological, for they derive the rightness of an act from the good states of affairs it results in. Aretaic moral theories are teleological in a different manner. They contend that right acts are those which embody the human good, where this is thought of as the virtuous and best life. The differences between these forms of teleological theory will be further explored in Chapter 6, but either way they both relate rightness to a more basic idea of the good.