Deontologists

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A person who specializes in the study and application of moral principles that dictate the inherent rightness or wrongness of actions, regardless of consequences
2. An individual who adheres to ethical theories focused on duty and compliance to rules, emphasizing intrinsic moral obligations over results
3. Someone who practices or advocates for a framework that prioritizes ethical duties and responsibilities in evaluating moral behavior and decision-making

Etymology: Deontologists are people who hold that certain actions are right or wrong in themselves, whatever they lead to, so the word is built on a single compound. Its core is the Ancient Greek "deon," meaning "that which is binding" or "duty," drawn from the verb "dein," "to be necessary or proper." Attached to it is "logia" in the sense of a body of knowledge or study, the same element that appears in words like "biology." Put together, "deontology" names the study of duty. English formed "deontology" from these Greek parts, and "deontologist" adds the suffix "-ist," which marks a person who follows or practises something. The plural simply adds "-s," so a deontologist is one who follows the study of duty, and the plural names several such people.