deontological

noun

1. ethics, especially that branch dealing with duty, moral obligation, and right action.

adjective

1. philosophy (of an ethical theory) regarding obligation as deriving from reason or as residing primarily in certain specific rules of conduct rather than in the maximization of some good

noun

1. the branch of ethics dealing with duty, moral obligation, and moral commitment

n.

science of moral duty, 1826, from Greek deont-, comb. form of deon “that which is binding, duty,” neuter present participle of dei “is binding;” + -logia “discourse” (see -logy). Said to have been coined by Bentham. Related: Deontological.