Applying Deontology to Determine What Ought to be Done

Abstract

This paper will broadly outline the theory of deontology with a specific focus on how the categorical imperative can be applied in moral decision making. The theory will then be applied to an issue to determine what course of action is consistent with the theory. Two strengths and two weaknesses that can be found in the literature will be considered and how the theory of deontology can be applied in a future teaching career to make ethical decisions will be discussed.