Deontology is the study of moral duty or obligation. It focuses on the rightness or wrongness of actions themselves, regardless of their consequences. An action is considered morally right if it follows a specific rule or principle, such as "do not lie" or "keep your promises." For example, a deontologist might argue that lying is always wrong, even if lying in a particular situation could lead to a positive outcome. The focus is on adhering to moral rules and duties, rather than achieving specific results.