Deontological Ethics
Deontological Ethics is also known as non-Consequentialist ethics. Deontological ethics consist of a variety of ethical theories, which focus upon the duty, which one has, for instance, to a particular moral code. Examples of deontological ethics include such theories as Divine Command theory, Kantian formalism or the Categorical Imperative and Christian ethics in general. Deontological ethics argues that by doing our duty we do what is value. Divine command theory, for example, says that something is good for no other reason than God commands it. Kantian ethical theory focus's upon the duty one has to keep what Kant understood to be a universal moral command, known as the Categorical Imperative. Deontological ethics has as its beginning the work of Plato with his emphasis upon the universal standard of right and wrong which exists in the world of Forms or Ideas.
Teleological Ethics
Teleological ethics is also known as Consequentialist ethics. Teleological ethics consists of a variety of ethical theories which focus upon outcome or consequences as determinative of which course of ethical action one should take. Teleological or Consequentialist theories include such ethical theories as egoism, hedonism and utilitarianism. These ethical theories advance the idea that the first task of ethics is to determine that which has value and defines the good and then to indicate how we are obligated to do what is valuable. Before we know why we should do good, we first have to determine what the good is. In order to determine what the good actually we must focus upon the consequences or outcomes of our various ethical actions. Teleological ethics does not understand actions themselves to be inherently good or bad, but rather are determined to be appropriate by the consequences, which they produce. Teleological ethics has as its beginning the work of Aristotle with his rejection of the Platonic world of Forms or Ideas and his this worldly emphasis upon the moral life as shaped by the outcome, goal, or consequences of one's actions.
