What type of decision maker are you, a teleologist  or deontologist?

How do you make your moral decisions?
Circle the answer that most clearly reflects you.
(Note: If you find it difficult to respond to these abstract statements,imagine yourself in specific case situations )

1. When in a quandary, do you
   • A. weigh the results of your action more heavily
   • B. consider the action itself
2. Do you believe
   • A. whether something is right or wrong depends  on the consequences/results
   • B. some actions are wrong or right, in and of themselves
3. Morality is
   • A. more about reasoning and evaluating circumstances
   • B. more about following rules
4. Morality is basically about
   • A. the greatest good for the greatest number
   • B. basic fundamental principles
5. Morality is
   • A. dependent on time and place
   • B. absolute
6. Moral principles are
   • A. conditional and specific
   • B. unconditional and universal
7. Do you believe
   • A. the ends (results)  justify the means (actions)
   • B. the ends do not justify the means (means is actions taken)
8.  When making hard decisions, it is better to weigh
   •  A.  how many people will benefit
   •  B.  the action itself that I am about to do

Read the chart below to see the definitions of teleologist & deontologist & to see which you are:

The above inventory reflects two basic orientations toward morality:teleological and deontological

Teleology:
Basically, teleology   means one weighs the consequences heavily .
Different schools of teleology place different values (weights) on certain aspects, i.e., the greatest happiness; the greatest good for the greatest number; the greatest personal benefit, the most compassionate result... For a teleologist, time place and circumstance matter.

Deontology:
Deontology is basically about following rules one has been taught. These rules may come from parents, authority figures, or God. A deontologist  is concerned with the act itself (lying, stealing, adultery, for example) and asks, "Is this act right or wrong?" If the act is wrong, he will not do it, no matter what.  He will not steal to put bread on the table. He will not lie to get a much-needed promotion. The deontologist is less concerned with the  effects/consequences of the act than with the act itself.  The act is what is important and guides his actions.  Time place and circumstance do not matter. The act itself and not the consequence of the act is primary.

You lean towards teleology if you answered A for most questions.
You lean towards deontology if you answered B for most questions.