discuss the strengths and weaknesses of Kant's Deontological ethics, how well does it work as a theory?

Outline very briefly who Kant was, he was a german philosopher who argued that morality was a matter of absolute rules, rules that admit no exceptions and appeal not to religious considerations but reason alone. Also outline the categorical imperative that was part of his thinking. Thus leading you onto the main focus of your essay strengths and weaknesses then your own opinion to finish the piece off.

strengths being: encourages you to work on a moral basis, there is no religious bias that comes into play. everyone agrees that there are absolute rights and wrongs generally. categorical imperatives remove the problem of inner desire. treats people as an end rather than a mean, humans must be treated with respect and must be the end in themselves. philosophers as far back as Plato have argued that our appetite must not rule over reason but that they must be the slaves to reason, Kant follows the tradition arguing for a moral realism that sits well with what most people intuitively accept. universally applicable.

weaknesses: not flexible idea. each situation is different thus the categorical imperative does not work, if you saying lying is morally wrong but a situation suggests that lying is the morally better thing to do one must lie. we like to look at the end result too much rather then the person and the morality of it. people are irrational and thus making the theory impractical. the issue of moral rules conflicting. not everyone agrees that duty should be the most important thing, and therefore the outcome can be the wrong outcome. only works if everyone wants it to work.

after outlining a few from each it is important to come to ones own opinion based on what has been previously discussed. but you do not need to mention each and everyone. Save the best idea that you believe is the best idea for last to back your own personal opinion then run with it for a solid conclusion.