Kant Flashcards
What are categorical imperatives?
laws that must be obeyed by all people in all circumstances
What is the formula of End in Itself
Never treat another as a means to an end but as an end to himself.
don’t use people for your own good
why is Kant’s theory deontological
It is our duty to carry out what reason tells us it good.
What is a priori?
a sense of moral law
What is the hypothetical imperative and why does Kant dismiss it?
The hypothetical imperative is when we base our moral decisions on an intended outcome. Kant says that this is not true moral reasoning because we all reach different conclusions on what is good depending on the circumstances. True moral reasoning should reach the same conclusion at all times.
What is the Formula of the Law of Nature
The Formula of the Law of Nature asks people to universalise their actions: “Act only according to the maxim that you will at the same time to become universal law.”
What is the lying promise?
A man in debt asks to borrow money from a friend, knowing he cannot pay him back. If he universalises this action he realises that society will fall apart as nobody will trust each others promises. Therefore it is a mans duty to tell the truth- this can be universalised.
What is the Kingdom of ends?
Kant says we should live as if we belong to a kingdom of ends-treating all others as free reasoning individuals.
What is the Summum Bonum?
A higher good which is the result of all our good actions, clearly this does not happen on earth as virtue often ends in suffering.
