Immanuel Kant's Ethical Theory i.e., deontology

Sample Answer

Immanuel Kant (1724-1804), a pivotal figure in Enlightenment philosophy, developed a groundbreaking ethical framework known as deontology. Born in Königsberg, Prussia (now Kaliningrad, Russia), Kant spent his entire life in his hometown, dedicating himself to profound philosophical inquiry. His work, particularly in critiques of pure reason, practical reason, and judgment, fundamentally reshaped Western thought. Deontology, derived from the Greek word deon meaning "duty," posits that the morality of an action is determined not by its consequences, but by whether it adheres to a moral rule or duty.

At the core of Kantian deontology is the Categorical Imperative, which he presented in various formulations. The most famous is: "Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law." This means that an action is morally right if and only if its underlying principle (maxim) can be applied universally to everyone, in every