Kantian Ethics Flashcards
(20 cards)
Kant’s “Ultimate Good”
being perfectly rational
Humans are fundamentally rational (thats what makes humans above other animals)
Humans can therefore achieve the ultimate good
Humans should not be sidetracked by intuition or feelings
Key Features of Kantian Ethics
Deontological: Duty-based ethics, focusing on the morality of actions rather than consequences.
Moral Law: Derived from reason and universal principles, not emotions or inclinations.
Good Will: The only intrinsically good thing; actions must stem from good intentions.
Summum Bonum
The ultimate end (highest good), combining virtue and happiness, achievable in the afterlife.
Categorical imperative
Something you do because you know it is right
“act only according to that maxim which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law without contradiction”
it denotes an absolute, unconditional requirement that must be obeyed in all circumstances by everyone
4 actions with no contradictions
> telling the truth
keeping promises
helping others in need
respecting others rights
contradiction of contraception
“I will use contraception”
what would happen if everyone used contraception?
human race ceases to exist
not a viable option
Second adaptation of the categorical imperative
Humans must be treated with respect. Disrespectful to kill. No murder
Kant’s view on moral responsibility
is a fan of it.
believes humans are responsible for their own actions.
the freedom humans have from acting on instinct is what makes them different from animals
Kant believes certain actions are always wrong.
Kant’s belief on who rules work for
Rules cannot work for the individual, but work for all of society.
Reasons for Kant opposing Religion
Kant finds tension between moral principles and religious ideas
Religious are influenced by historical time. Not universal
Humans can determine moral law with their own instincts
Doesn’t like salvation through grace- not behaviour
humans can make moral decisions without God
Kant’s support of Religion
He says Jesus was the perfect model for moral behaviour. he believed Jesus achieved perfect morality
Kant says the best way to promote ethical laws is through the church
Kant says God must exist due to the way people behave
Strengths of Kantian Ethics
Morality is based on reason- straightforward
Corrects the utility principle that minority must suffer for majority to be happy
Aims to treat everyone justly
Weaknesses of Kantian Ethics
Kant neglects consequences and focuses only on right or wrong
Sometimes morally right actions are not universalizable
Kant’s famous book
Critique of pure reason
kant’s 2 examples for universalizability
theft and lying
Lies of omission
bending the truth
If nazis come looking for jews in your house, you do not lie, but you do not tell the nazis that jews are there
“you are welcome to come in and have a look”
How does aquinas define lying (yes its relevant)
Taking something that is not RIGHTFULLY yours
Murderer at the door. Looking for my friend in the next room. Who’s responsible? (crash course video)
if I lie and my friend dies anyway, Kant says its on me
If I tell the truth and my friend dies, its on the murderer
Aquinas’ principle of double effect works here
Formula of Humanity
“act so that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in that of another, always as an end, and never as a mere means”
dont take advantage of people
this is being personalist. Humans always come first
Ends in ourselves
how Kant describes humans
humans exist for themselves, not for other people use
however, kant observes we do use other people for means, but not as mere means
