Kantian Ethics

Question 1

Immanuel kant 1724-1804

Answer 1

Influenced by scientists in assessment of empirical evidence

Question 2

Kantian ethics

Answer 2

Absolutist, deontological normative ethical theory which is religious as it postulates God, Kant founded theory as discussed in Groundworks of metaphysics of morals and is priori and empirically based

Question 3

Duty

Answer 3

Deontological term derived from Greek word Deon, concerned with describing our moral duties and intrinsic properties of actions being good or bad, actions are R or W and consequences don’t matter, do what we ought to do. Duty makes the good will so duty to follow moral law, do duty because it is our duty to do so.

Question 4

Moral theory ( role of reason)

Answer 4

Reason marks humans as different to animals, our ability to reason and make moral decision is what makes us human, reasoning only way to make moral decisions. reason is universal

Question 5

Moral theory ( Moral Law within)

Answer 5

Comes from reason, this meant idea of moral obligation comes from within us and we experience it as categorial imperative, automogy makes unbiased decisions with no influence from outside source.

Question 6

Moral theory ( Good will)

Answer 6

Highest form of good as not concerned with self interest or consquences. “ Good will shines forth like a precious jewel”- decisions guided by this. Virtue rewarded by God in the next world and striving to ultimate good-> not achieved in our world but in the next therefore God exists.

Question 7

3 postulates of mortality - Freedom

Answer 7

A) Freedom- rational being capable of knowing duty choose freely how to act, if expected to do duty we must be free to do so. Neccessary to punish/ praise, if follow moral law/ duty- humans achieve summum Bonum

Question 8

3 postulates of morality- Immortality

Answer 8

B) Immortality- Achieve summum Bonum after death, perfect virtue is rewarded with perfect happiness.

Question 9

3 postulates of morality- God

Answer 9

C) God- must exist to provide summum Bonum as it enables us to be immortal.

Question 10

Categorial imperative

Answer 10

Contains no uncertainty or dependence on other factors. Universal principle that applies to all. obligation to do.

Question 11

Hypothetical Imperative

Answer 11

Reason for action is related to outcome, no obligation to obey imperative unless wanting to achieve outcome e.g “ If you want to get into shape then you should exercise”

Question 12

The CI- 1st maxim ( universalisation)

Answer 12

For an action to be morally valid the person performing action must not carry out any action unless they believe all the people should act in the same way, cannot be one rule for one and another for another. Absolute with no exceptions and kant’s example of breaking promises–> breaking them makes them worthless. Ensures justice and fairness.

Question 13

Did kant use or like hypothetical imperative?

Answer 13

No Kant was searching for absolute moral rule therefore HT was useless and not connected to morals and dependent on outcome as it’s teleological and relative and has no obligation to obey thus Kant found CI which is universal absolute and have a duty to obey.

Question 13

The CI- 2nd maxim ( Treat humans as ends in themselves)

Answer 13

A moral code must treat humans with respect and not as a means to an end, humanity is the highest in God’s creation , intelligent rational being with human rights and intrinsic worth. Rules out all forms of exploitation but did accept that possible to use people for means e.g. Going to a doctor to be cured but it is wrong to treat people only as a means. Self worth is important, cannot undervalue self when seeking moral end over kindness can led to ones destruction and shouldn’t promote happiness over another’s.

Question 14

3rd Maxim: Kingdom of Ends

Answer 14

Act as a legislating member in universal kingdom of ends. The KOE is a society made of all people, all of whom are entitled to be treated as ends and not means, which means everybody should act as though everyone else has made human rights as themselves.

Question 15

Kant’s examples

Answer 15

Deception: Do not deceive, Theft: Do not commit theft, Suicide: Do not commit suicide, Laziness: Do not be lazy, Charity: Do not be selfish, Cruelty to animals: Do not be cruel, Too short and limited to demonstrate have a duty to obey.

Question 16

Strength 1-

Answer 16

Kant’s theory provides basic for human rights in 1948- UN declaration of human rights agreed in 48 countries and is world’s most translated document, protecting humans.

Question 17

Strength 2-

Answer 17

Kant’s theory underpins most UK and most international laws, jack Kevorkian tried to defend his killing of Thomas Youk the judge limited evidence he could introduce saying it didn’t matter if he intended to help Youk or if Youk died, it’s the act that was important, just like slavery and pornography was immoral.

Question 18

Strength 3-

Answer 18

Equality and justice provides foundation for modern conception of equality and jsuticde, eradictaes bias towards family, friends or nations. No nepotism: Rejects UT’s minority suffer for good of majority- all equal.

Question 19

Strength 4-

Answer 19

Clear and straightforward: Based on reason so accessible to everyone

Question 20

Weakness 1-

Answer 20

Too abstract and not easily applies to modern situations tells you types of actions that are good but doesn;t tell you right thing in certian situation.

Question 21

Strength 5-

Answer 21

Duty fits into with human experience, at first may seem better to act out of compassion however it is possible to make bad choice out of love. Acting out of duty always right, clear that morality is about duty not following feelings. What may be good for us may not be for everyone else, Kant’s equivalent for Golden rule.

Question 22

Strength 5-

Answer 22

Universal- Holds universally regardless of culture or situation. Moral actions cannot be just in one society and unjust in another- prevents cultural relativism.

Question 23

Weakness 2-

Answer 23

Alasdair Maclyntre- Use universalizability to justify practically anything

Question 24

weakness 3-

Answer 24

Confusing- confused over whether ethics are deontological or teleological, consequences of action should not be basis of action, yet Kant has a clear inbuilt goal to which nature and history are working towards- KOE and Sommum Bonnum

Question 25

Weakness 4-

Answer 25

Satre0 Confliciting duty as pupil torn between which duty to follow either look for mother in france ir flying to englland to fight with free french fores- which duty do i follow?

Question 26

Weakness 5-

Answer 26

Too idealistic- Is it possible to do your duty without expecting anything in return? People rarely purely act out of duty

Question 27

Weakness 6-

Answer 27

Vardy- putting duty above feeling is cold and inhuman, no place for love and relationships

Question 28

Weakness 7-

Answer 28

Does not help in situation of double affect- should terminally ill patient be given painkkilling drugs to ease suffering, if adminstradition of drugs causes them to die sooner? or harm in shortening life the crucial factor and patient allowed to continue to suffer.

Question 29

Weakness 8-

Answer 29

Ross- absolute duty, have an absolute duty when all things considered but individual duties cannot be absolute and have a duty to break a promise, modified Kant's theory to include prima facia duties: binding other things equal unless overridden by another duty.

Question 30

Weakness 9

Answer 30

shouldn't ignore consequences of our actions as if outcome harms someone could leads to guilt. Kant's view depends on some idea of God to explain rationally ordered world therefore atheists cannot accept it. Kant doesn't tell what to do in individual situations like euthanasia, war, murder.