Final answer:
Kant's belief in universal moral laws that dictate our thinking aligns with deontology, which is rooted in duty and the categorical imperative principle, differentiating it from utilitarianism and egoism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Kant's belief that there are basic or universal ideals that should direct our thinking is known as deontology. This ethical theory is grounded in the idea that actions are morally right based on a set of rules, regardless of the outcomes. Immanuel Kant is famously associated with this approach because of his concept of the categorical imperative, which posits that moral actions are those that can be universally applied as a law for everyone. Kant postulates that rational beings can discern these moral laws through reasoning, thus establishing norms for rational conduct. Moral actions, according to Kant, are not dictated by consequences or personal gain, which contrasts with utilitarianism and egoism. Rather, they are based on duty and the capacity to will that one's actions could become universal laws.