Rule-Based Ethics
The idea that there is an absolute set of rules that can govern moral behavior is called deontology, or rule-based ethics. In deontology, the morality of an action is dictated by its adherence to a rule. Deontology is based on an assumption that it is possible to establish a set of rules or principles that can articulate ethical behavior in all circumstances and across all contexts and that if everyone then adheres to those rules, ethical behavior will be assured. Such an approach has great appeal in that it avoids any suggestion of a subjective approach to ethics: It keeps people from making selfish exceptions for themselves in what constitutes ethical behavior.
However, a rule-based approach can sometimes present problems. We have encountered some of the inherent issues related to this approach in our workwith the BACBCode. The issues that can arise often fall into one of three categories: (a) situations where the context of the ethical dilemma seems to argue against the rules, (b) situations where two or more rules can conflict, or (c) situations where cultural considerations seem to suggest a different course. We consider each of these potential conflicts in turn.
