Morality is the philosophical study of moral action. It analyzes what is right and what is wrong and how people should behave. To decide what is right and what is wrong, Kant developed the theory of deontology, which is an ethical system based on the moral duties and obligations of society. Deontology is better explained when the opposing theory of consequentialism is also understood. Consequentialism suggests that we should make moral decisions based on the consequences of the action and that the consequences of the action should make the greatest number of people happy. Therefore, according to consequentialism, it does not matter what the action is, as long as the consequence is good. Consequentialism, for example, accepts that lying to someone to help them in some way is perfectly acceptable as long as the outcome is good. Ethics suggests the exact opposite: lying is wrong regardless of context because it is everyone's duty to be honest. Kant notes that we can only control our motivations, we cannot control the consequences of our motivations, and therefore, we should make decisions based on action, not consequences. Kant assumes that reason is the best method for deciding what is moral. Within a free society, not dictated by a corrupt leader, or even influenced by what religion expects of one, one is able to make a rational decision about what is right and what is wrong. Kant believes that if one is moral because the law or even if God's law dictates it, the person is not truly making moral decisions, but is simply following the rules to gain a reward or avoid punishment. Rational people are able to understand what is right and what is wrong. While Kant's theory seems plausible, one might suggest that a person simply does not have the capabilities... middle of paper... intentions are not so. The cop is simply using people so he can find the drug dealers and get a pay raise. A truly democratic society should, in theory, respect Kantian ethics. All citizens would elect the government, because everyone could choose based on reason and everyone would have equal rights. The government would not lie to the people by withholding information to protect citizens. Any lie would be wrong, which would leave little room for corruption. He would not tailor the laws to benefit the rich, because of universal law. In effect, the laws would be put in place by the people, for the people, and would apply to everyone. The majority would not oppress the minorities because everyone would be rational enough to make good decisions for everyone. The government would only ask for an amount of taxes that everyone would be able to pay.