Which ethical theory argues that morality is governed by universal duties and rules, regardless of outcomes?

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Duty-based ethics, also known as deontological ethics, holds that morality rests on universal duties and rules that apply regardless of the consequences. In this view, certain actions are right or wrong because they conform to fundamental obligations—like telling the truth or keeping promises—independently of what those actions produce. The emphasis is on following these universal norms and treating people as ends in themselves, not merely as means to an end. This is why the approach fits the description: it judges actions by their intrinsic moral duty, not by outcomes. By contrast, focusing on outcomes—what brings the greatest good—defines utilitarian theory, while the other terms are either vague or not standard ethical frameworks.