Duty-Based Vs Deontological Ethics

Ethics or Morals are a set of principles that allow people to distinguish right from wrong in the way that they interact with the world. Two main, yet very contrasting approaches to ethical decision-making are duty based and consequentialist perspectives. The theory of duty-based or Deontological ethics states that we are morally obligated to act in accordance with a certain set of principles and rules regardless of the results that follow. The Consequentialist or as it is otherwise known “Utilitarian” approach to ethics, is based on the assumption that the ultimate goal of all human activity is happiness. For a utilitarian to make a correct decision, all aspects of a situation must be examined in order to determine the consequences of their
Ivan takes his sick three-year-old son Luke on a visit to the local doctor only to receive terrible news. His son has contracted a deadly illness and is only given a few days to live. There is only one thing that can save Luke’s life – a very expensive drug called “Curital”. Ivan enquires about the drug, hoping that he can afford it with what little money he earns and is shocked at the outrageous cost of the drug. The father looks at his three-year-old boy and pleas for mercy, but the doctor refuses to budge on the price of the treatment. Ivan continues to plea, but the uncaring and unsympathetic doctor insists that it is the price that must be paid whether one is broke or not. The doctor then departs from the room and gives Ivan time to think and make a decision. Crushed and lost in his thoughts Ivan’s eyes wander around the room; he spots the treatment in a cabinet only a few metres away from where he and his son are seated; Ivan is now faced with a moral dilemma. Despite his son’s age, he can either accept Luke’s fateful and untimely death due to his lack of wealth. Or he could easily steal the life-saving drug knowing that the doctor’s bank account will not suffer at
In order to properly understand this situation from a Kantian standpoint we must first apply Immanuel Kant’s system, which is that of the Categorical Imperative. The Categorical Imperative is a system that justifies an individual’s actions if it can be turned into a maxim or universal law that can be applied throughout the world. If Ivan were to base his choice on that of a Kantian perspective, he would have to choose to let his son die. This is because it would be immoral to steal another’s property, regardless of the circumstances. If Ivan were to steal the medication he would be encouraging many other individuals to steal, which would lead to a failed health care system. His actions would be based on morality rather than his own happiness. However, a duty-based system has its flaws. For example, it may encourage Ivan to choose not to steal and be morally sound, as opposed to saving the life of his own