1. Plural of deontologist; philosophers or ethicists who believe that the rightness or wrongness of an action depends on the action's adherence to rules or duties, rather than on its consequences.
Usage: academic; philosophy

Examples

• Deontologists argue that lying is always wrong, even if it produces good outcomes.
• Many deontologists follow the ethical framework developed by Immanuel Kant.
• Unlike utilitarians, deontologists focus on the inherent rightness of actions themselves.
• Some deontologists believe that certain duties, such as keeping promises, are absolute.
• The debate between deontologists and consequentialists has shaped modern moral philosophy.