Kant Flashcards
(31 cards)
When was Kant alive?
1724 – 1804
Who was Kant?
German thinker from East Prussia (now Russia).
One most influential philosophers in Western Philosophy.
What type of theory is Kantian ethics?
Deontological & absolute.
Certain acts are always right or wrong - it does not allow any exceptions to it’s rule and can be applied universally.
How did Kant believe humans access universal moral law?
Through using reason.
What was Kant quoted saying about reason?
“Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing admiration and awe … the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me.” Kant 1788
What theory did Kant completely reject?
Moral knowledge is gained by pure reason not by sense experience – this is in direct contrast to utilitarianism which Kant rejected.
What are the two types of statement Kant believed in?
A priori analytic
A posteriori analytic
What is a priori analytic?
A priori analytic: is true in itself but cannot be proven by seeing or observing something.
e.g. 1+1=2
What is a posteriori analytic?
A posteriori synthetic: can be tested , can be true/false and can be proven by observation.
e.g. ‘It is sunny today!’
What were moral statements to Kant?
Moral statements were, for Kant, a priori synthetic - we cannot prove what someone should do just by seeing/observing the act (a priori) and they may or may not be true (synthetic).
Why do humans have to appeal to reason?
To know for sure if a statement is right or wrong (e.g. murder is wrong). We need a test or formula to help us to know what is right or wrong and we apply this test using our reason.
What does Kant believe about good will?
The only thing that is totally and completely good without exception is a goodwill.
Some things we think of as good could be used for bad purposes, therefore not absolutely good eg bravery.
Good will is the only ‘good’ that cannot be used for a bad purpose.
What was Kant quoted saying about good will?
“Good will shines forth like a precious jewel”
What did Kant say about duty?
Good will is to do one’s duty One’s duty is to perform actions that are morally required- avoid actions that are morally forbidden Why do we do our duty? Because it’s our duty to do it! = “Duty for duty’s sake”
What did Kant say humans seek?
Kant believed that human beings seek an ultimate end – the supreme good.
What is the summum bonum?
A state in which human virtue and happiness are united, impossible to reach in one lifetime.
What did Kant believe about theories for God’s existence?
Kant rejected theological arguments for the existence of God but his ethical theory assumes immortality and God’s existence.
What is postulate?
A necessary assumption especially as a basis of an argument.
What is the 1st postulate of practical reason?
We can postulate the EXISTENCE OF GOD and the BELIEF IN IMMORTALITY because despite being inclined towards good and doing one’s duty, this does not always lead to happiness in this world.
What is the 2nd postulate of practical reason?
We can postulate our FREEDOM as we are aware of having to make a moral decision and if we were not free to make that decision there would be no decision to make.
What is the 3rd postulate of practical reason?
We can postulate that there is an afterlife (IMMORTALITY) where the Summum Bonum is achieved.
What makes an action good?
An action is only good if a person acts from a sense of good will.
What are out duties as rational people to ourselves?
- Not committing suicide
- Not lusting after people of thing
- Not being drunk
- Not being greedy
- Not lying
- Not acting in a manner that undervalues yourself
What are our duties as rational people to other rational people?
- To be generous
- To be grateful
- To be sympathetic
- To respect people as individuals and equals
