Deontological ethics is a type of ethics and ethical theories. It judges actions based on whether they follow certain rules. It is sometimes described as "duty" or "obligation" or "rule" -based ethics, because rules "bind you to your duty". The Ancient Greek word "deon" is commonly translated as "obligation" or "duty". Deontological ethics is different from consequentialism, which judges actions based on what happens because of them. It is also different from pragmatic ethics.