Discuss the distinctions between the rule and act categories of utilitarianism and deontology. Why do you think some people evaluate the morality of an action on the basis of the action itself, whereas others evaluate it in terms of its conformity to particular moral principles or rules of conduct?

Rule utilitarians determine behavior on the basis of principles or rules designed to promote the greatest utility, while act utilitarians examine specific actions and assess whether they result in the greatest utility. Rule deontologists believe in conformity to general moral principles such as the Golden Rule, while act deontologists hold that actions are the proper basis to judge morality. Adherents of different personal moral philosophies may disagree in their evaluations of a given action, yet all are behaving ethically according to their own standards.