Which ethical framework emphasizes duty and normative obligations?

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

Answer: (B)

Duty and normative obligations are central to deontology. This approach says an action is ethical not because of its outcomes, but because it conforms to a moral rule or duty accepted as universally binding. In deontology, certain duties—like telling the truth or keeping promises—are right in themselves, even if following them leads to less favorable consequences. It’s about respecting moral laws and the inherent worth of individuals, not about calculating overall effects. By contrast, utilitarianism weighs consequences to maximize overall good; virtue ethics focuses on character and what a good person would do; relativism ties moral norms to cultural or personal perspectives. So the emphasis on obligation and universal duties is what defines deontology.