Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of deontological ethics?

Deontological ethics is primarily concerned with the inherent morality of actions themselves rather than the consequential results of those actions. The central tenets of deontological ethics include a strong focus on rules and duties, adherence to moral principles, and an unconditional obligation to follow those rules irrespective of the outcomes.

The correct answer points out that emphasis on outcomes is NOT a characteristic of deontological ethics, as it aligns more closely with consequentialist theories such as utilitarianism. In these consequentialist frameworks, the morality of an action is judged based on the results it produces rather than the inherent rightness or wrongness of the action according to established duties or rules. Therefore, in deontological ethics, the rightness of an action is determined by whether it aligns with moral laws, not by the outcomes that result from following those laws.