Deontology

Immanuel Kant's Categorical Imperative states that you should only act according to a maxim that you can will to become a universal law. This means an action is morally right only if it makes logical sense for everyone in the world to do it simultaneously. It forms the absolute, unconditional core of Kantian deontological ethics.

The primary criticism of Deontology is that it can be excessively rigid, forcing people to follow absolute rules even when breaking them would prevent a massive tragedy. Utilitarians argue that the consequences of an action (like saving lives) should always outweigh a predefined moral duty. Deontologists counter that violating a rule, like lying, destroys the fabric of moral trust.

Yes, W.D. Ross introduced the concept of Prima Facie duties in the 20th century, which argues that we have multiple moral obligations (like fidelity and reparation) that can conflict. Thomas Nagel is another prominent modern philosopher who has heavily explored deontological constraints and absolute moral limits. These theories help bridge the gap between Kant's absolute rules and real-world complexities.

In medical ethics, Deontology heavily supports the principle of patient autonomy, meaning doctors have a strict duty to respect a patient's choices regardless of the health outcome. It also enforces the rule against doing harm (non-maleficence), even if a harmful action could theoretically save others. This framework prevents doctors from treating patients merely as means to an end.