Deontology

Question 1

what governs morality for Kant

Answer 1

reason governs morality

Question 2

Duty based ethics

Answer 2

-Kant believed it is our duty to do right thing as rational beings
-if we do wrong thing we are not only acting immorally but irrationally

Question 3

Imperative

Answer 3

commands

Question 4

hypothetical imperative

Answer 4

‘you ought to do x if you want to get y’
-conditional commands
-command us to do something if we want something else

Question 5

categorical imperative

Answer 5

‘you ought to do x’
-commands us to just do it
-unconditional commands
-absolute

Question 6

Kant says you can only do something good if it is done…

Answer 6

unconditionally

Question 7

What is our duty

Answer 7

to do good

Question 8

things we might consider good but is not

Answer 8

-intelligence, riches, power, happiness
-when misused can turn out bad

Question 9

Kants quote about good will

Answer 9

‘sparkle like a jewel all by itself’
good will intrinsically good

Question 10

What kind of reasoning is the categorical imperitive

Answer 10

Priori- based on objective reason

Question 11

What does deontology focus on

Answer 11

Intentions of person doing the action

Question 12

FORMULATIONS OF THE CI
UNIVERSALISATION
Before you act what does Kant say you should do?

Answer 12

Ask yourself the question whether you’d like everybody in the same situation to act in the same way
Yes – it’s a maxim
No – it’s against reason and logic

Question 13

FORMULATIONS OF THE CI
UNIVERSALISATION
What’s a logical contradiction?

Answer 13

-You logically cannot universalise it e.g stealing, then nobody owns anything

Question 14

FORMULATIONS OF THE CI
UNIVERSALISATION
What are perfect duties?

Answer 14

Anything that is a logical contradiction for example murder can’t be universalised so a perfect duty would be ‘don’t murder’

Question 15

FORMULATIONS OF THE CI
UNIVERSALISATION
What is a contradiction of the will?

Answer 15

-Logically would be able to universalise it, however no rational being would want to universalise it
-eg Lying can technically be universalised, but it would create an anxious society that we don’t want so it is therefore undesirable for a rational being

Question 16

FORMULATIONS OF THE CI
HUMANITY FORMULA
Give a quote from Kant about this

Answer 16

Treat humanity… never as a means, but always as and end

Question 17

FORMULATIONS OF THE CI
HUMANITY FORMULA
What does treated people as a means to an end mean?

Answer 17

Using someone for something that benefits you – it implies superiority

Question 18

FORMULATIONS OF THE CI
HUMANITY FORMULA
What is a positive of this?

Answer 18

-intuitive appeal to human logic and appeal

Question 19

FORMULATIONS OF THE CI
HUMANITY FORMULA
Why does Kant say humans should always be treated as ends?

Answer 19

-we are rational beings
-rational beings deserve dignity and respect

Question 20

FORMULATIONS OF THE CI
KINGDOM OF ENDS FORMULA
What does Kant envision?

Answer 20

-utopian kingdom of ends where all people share same moral vision
-laws based on previous 2 formulas

Question 21

FORMULATIONS OF THE CI
KINGDOM OF ENDS FORMULA
What does Kant say we should do when acting individually?

Answer 21

-We should try and imagine whether our action would be acceptable in the ‘kingdom of ends’
-in hope that by doing this we might bring it closer to reality

Question 22

W D Ross

Answer 22

-argued that in ethical situations all moral agents have prima facie duties
-duties which become apparent through our intuition, instantly recognise
-we need to consider how to apply them in ethical situation

Question 23

What does Ross say we should do if two prima facie duties come into conflict?

Answer 23

-neither should be ignored, we should decide which more important

Question 24

Ross 7 prima facie duties

Answer 24

-Fidelity
-Gratitude
-Reperation
-Justice

Question 25

Strength of Ross prima facie duties

Answer 25

-More flexible than Kants thoery -allows for more subjective interpretation what more important in situations and across time -eg duty to tell truth to murder about where friend is becomes less important than duty to portect friend -middle group between consequentionalist and absolute deontology

Question 26

What does Nagel say deontological theories provide?

Answer 26

agent relative reasons to do or not do certain actions

Question 27

Agent relative reasons

Answer 27

-personal reasons for someone to do or not do something, relative to them not others eg you should take care of your children -arise from us having claims on certain people, them having claims on us

Question 28

Agent neutral reasons

Answer 28

-Nagel says these apply to everyione equally, impersonal -Utilitarianism

Question 29

What does Nagel say that deontology recognises

Answer 29

-special obligations -not required treat everyone same

Question 30

Why is Nagels ideas better than Kants

Answer 30

-not as idealistic as Kant -Kant wants morality to be universal and impartial -Nagel recognises we have personal responsibilities and claims on people

Question 31

Strengths of Kantian deontology

Answer 31

-It is universal and provides moral laws that hold – It is clear even a child could understand it – It is rational and not swayed by emotion – It provides a basis for human rights, it exercises equality and justice which fits in with the UDHR – Reliable – it’s a system of rules that work

Question 32

Weakness Kantian deontology

Answer 32

– inflexible, you should be able to break unhelpful rule if individuals circumstance warrants it – It’s not consequentialist as focuses on intentions however as humans we all naturally think of consequences – Anthropocentric, only cares about humans – too vague – can we kill paedophiles if the intention is good? -concept of 'rational beings' discrimonatory against those with disabilities