In consideration of those arguing that deontology is a kind of utilitarianism, I offer a reversal: Utilitarian ethical systems can be usefully regarded as a subset of deontological ethical systems—they’re ultimately a deontological ethical system with a single rule, “Maximize utility.”
Or, more accurately, “Choose the action which you think will maximize utility” (Act Consequentialism) or “Follow the rule of action that you think will maximize utility” (Rule Consequentialism). The latter is more of a meta-rule, as it leaves you to derive action rules.
In consideration of those arguing that deontology is a kind of utilitarianism, I offer a reversal: Utilitarian ethical systems can be usefully regarded as a subset of deontological ethical systems—they’re ultimately a deontological ethical system with a single rule, “Maximize utility.”
Or, more accurately, “Choose the action which you think will maximize utility” (Act Consequentialism) or “Follow the rule of action that you think will maximize utility” (Rule Consequentialism). The latter is more of a meta-rule, as it leaves you to derive action rules.