Deontological ethics is premised on the fact that an action is either right or wrong (Fraser, 2011). Duty-based ethics examines the action on its premises and its ethical code without considering the intention behind the action or the results that it produces. Philosopher Kant as a proponent of deontological ethics maintained that focus should be on the ethics of the action itself and not the ethics of its consequences(Fraser, 2011).
Utilitarianism, on the other hand, is a consequentialism moral theory, focusing on the effects of an action rather than the action itself. Utilitarianism judges the ethics of an action based on the outcome; it maintains that the morality of an action is determined by what it achieves (Waller, 2005). Utilitarians hold that morality should act towards the common good of humanity, therefore, when one's actions produce good results, their actions should be considered ethical.
Contemporary issues such as human rights require duty based ethics which give a precise definition of wrong and right. If human rights issues were to be judged on consequences as proposed by utilitarianism, then there would be room for unethical conduct like torture, war crimes and genocide since perpetrators may argue that their end is justifiable.
On the other hand, globalization has opened up interactions which in many cases call for clear defined principles and action plans on issues. These require an established ethical principle which is best served by deontological ethics, rather than utilitarianism. Duty-based ethics is, therefore, the most appropriate for contemporary times, which require precisely established values that embedded in laws, treaties and define individual conduct in the society and the workplace.
References
Fraser, C. 2011. The Oxford Handbook of World Philosophy. Oxford University Press. p. 62.
Waller, B. 2005. Consider Ethics: Theory, Readings, and Contemporary Issues. New York: Pearson Longman.
