Which ethical framework emphasizes following universal moral duties regardless of outcomes?

• A. Utilitarianism
• B. Relativism
• C. Deontology
• D. Virtue ethics

Answer: (C)

Deontology is the ethical framework that emphasizes following universal duties or rules regardless of the outcomes. In this view, what makes an action moral is whether it adheres to a duty or rule that could apply to everyone, not whether it leads to good consequences. The idea is that certain duties—like honesty or keeping promises—are inherently right, so breaking them is wrong even if the result would be better. For example, telling the truth is considered a duty, and lying would be wrong whether or not it might save someone from harm. By contrast, utilitarianism evaluates morality by outcomes, relativism bases morality on cultural norms, and virtue ethics centers on character and whether an action expresses virtuous traits.