In contrast to utilitarianism and other teleological approaches to moral reasoning, the deontological approach does not focus on the end result or the consequences of one’s actions. Instead, deontologists would argue that behaviors are morally just or unjust solely based on the behavior itself, separate from the chain reaction it initiates. Deontologists, as shown through the work of Kant, believe that morality and rationality are one in the same. There are three components that make up a moral action, according to Kant’s Categorical Imperative: first, the action must be universally moral, second, the action must treat other rational beings as ends themselves, rather than as means, and third, the action must be allowable for rational beings. …show more content…
An example to show that these steps can be followed could come when considering the discretionary decisions a store manager must make on a daily basis, such as whether to accept an item being returned after the deadline stated on the receipt. For analysis purposes, we will assume that the manager accepts refuses to accept any returns that are not strictly by the book. The first step is to express the action under evaluation, in this case, the acceptance or rejection of an item being returned. Next, one must ponder whether the instance can be viewed through the lens of prima facie, where the rule can be accepted “on its face.” There is not enough information, and no definite answer that most rational beings would give, so we would move onto the third step. In step three, there are three tests, all of which must answer yes. First, can it be done by everyone without contradiction? Second, does it respect people as ends in themselves and not means? Last, would all rational people agree that the action was in fact rational? In the case of the store manager, the answer to all three questions would be “yes.” She acts in a non-contradictory manner by applying the same rule to every customer. She respects people as ends rather than means, in following the rule regardless of the benefit to herself. Finally, rational beings would agree that the store manager’s decision to adhere to