Certainly! Deontology is a normative ethical theory that emphasizes duty, rules, and principles over consequences. It is most famously associated with Immanuel Kant, who argued that morality is grounded in rationality and universalizable maxims.

Key Principles of Deontology:

1. Duty: Actions are morally right if they align with a set of duties or rules, regardless of outcomes.
2. Universality: A moral rule must be applicable to everyone in similar situations (Kant’s Categorical Imperative).
3. Intentions Matter: The morality of an action depends on the intention behind it, not the results.

Example:

• Truth-Telling: A deontologist would argue that lying is always wrong, even if it leads to a better outcome, because it violates the duty to be truthful.

Strengths:

• Provides clear moral guidelines.
• Respects individual rights and dignity by treating people as ends, not means.

Criticisms:

• Can lead to rigid or impractical decisions (e.g., refusing to lie even to save a life).
• Struggles to resolve conflicts between duties.

Deontology offers a principled approach to ethics, prioritizing moral integrity over situational outcomes. Would you like to explore a specific aspect further?