Kantian Deontology

Question 1

What is Kantian Deontology?

Answer 1

Intention is used to judge the moral worth of an action

Question 2

Categorical and hypothetical imperative

Answer 2

A categorrical imperative is when an action is neccesary without record record.
Hypothetical imperative is when a possible action is done to acheive something someone wants.

Question 3

(First formulation of catergorical imperative - univesal law foundation)

Contradiction in conception +
Contradiction in will

Answer 3

Contradiction in conception is where a universal law would lead to a logical contradiction and violates a perfect duty.
Contradiction in will is where a universal law ends up frustrating our will and violates an imperfect duty.

Question 4

Kant’s good will

Answer 4

“Good” is having good will. Good will is the only good and is good without qualification

Question 5

Issues including:

Not all universal maxims are moral
+
Not all ununiversal maxims are immoral

Answer 5

• Captial letters suggest that there is no link between universable maxims and morals. And always giving to the poor suggests a perfect duty to avoid contradiction, which is obviously immoal in this case.
• Kant responds by saying that things we cant universalise are more relevant. but this is a negative theory is it tells us what not to do.

Question 6

Issue including:

Clashing duties

Answer 6

Kantian deonology doesnt help us decide between two competing duties, or two imperfect duties - we would need some leeway in terms of whicch to choose.
We could adjust the maxime, but this contradicts his objective system.

Question 7

Second formulation of categorical imperative:

Humanity formulation

Answer 7

• Always treat people as if they have inherit value.
• Part of being human is being rational, so we should respect that others act with reasons in mind.
• We must allow them to rationally consent to any act which involves them.

Question 8

Accordance of duty vs. Accordance out of duty

Answer 8

• An act done in accordance of duty is an act done by any other motive other than good will.
• Acting out of duty is an act done from the motive of good will - because it is the right thing to do.

Question 9

Issue including:

Morality is a system of hypothetical imperatives

Answer 9

1) Not all categorical imperatives are moal ones.
2) It is not always raional to be moral
3) It only “feels” like moal commands are more important because of the way they are taught to us.

Question 10

Issues including:

Ignores values of other motives

Answer 10

Williams believes putting the motive of love beneath the justifiction of doing someting because it is right is absurd.
Kant would respond by saying that good will is the only good, any other motive is immoral.

Question 11

Issues including:

The view that consequences of actions do not determine their moal value.

Answer 11

For example, if you had to choose between lying to a murderer about your friends whereabouts or tell the truth, Kant would say you have the perfect duty to tell the truth, but this feels immoal to most people.
Kant would say its irrational to lie and that we are only responsible for our own actions, so we must tell the truth.