Kantian Ethics Flashcards
(35 cards)
What does Deontological mean?
Focuses on the action rather than the outcome.
What is Good Will?
The only truly intrinsically good thing, having good intentions and motives. - “good will shine like a precious jewel”
What does he mean by ‘Duty for Duties sake’?
it does not matter if what you intend does not work out or lead to the right action but rather that we aim to do the right thing.
What are the 2 things Kant says duty is not? and what examples does he use?
- doing the right thing for self-interests or because of possible consequences. (shopkeeper charges fairly because he figures it is good for business)
- Doing the right thing out of inclination (because we feel like it) is not duty. ( may feel like giving to charity one day but not the next) - makes it a poor guide.
What is duty then? and example
Something we rationally work out that we ought to do. possible outcomes and emotions are irrelevant - policewomen intervenes because it is her duty not because she thinks she will Cath the criminal or that she feels like it.
What does Kant believe about human moral duties?
That we all have them and must act upon them because we are human beings.
What does Kant mean by autonomy?
‘self-ruling’ the belief that we are free ad able to make our own decisions.
How should we use our autonomy?
to rationalise our own moral rules (maxim) which are absolute but are not governed by Gods or similar authority
What is a maxim? what is the example?
An internal moral rule that we create and act upon and follow.
- Steal a chip from your plate without permission my maxim might be ‘Take another persons food if you want it’
what is the Potential problem with Maxims?
The chip example shows that whilst these maxims are internal rules it does not mean they are necessarily good - we must follow categorical imperatives.
What are categorical imperatives?
A command which logically has to be followed which does not depend on the end result - ‘Do x’ or ‘Don’t do X’ - when you decide to act upon ‘do not kill’ it is not because you have an outcome in mind - something unconditional about the command.
What is a hypothetical imperative?
A moral obligation that is dependent upon desiring the goal in question e.g. ‘do x to get y’ - they are not unconditional commands. Therefore is only applied in certain cases and cannot be moral duty.
what is the first way Kant argues we can test if we are following a Categorical Imperative?
Universal application - The principle that we should only carry out those acts that we are able to will as a law for everyone at all times. - you cannot be the exception.
What is an example of universal law application?
if I was to steal your work this could not be universalised because then everyone would steal which would be chaotic and illogical (stealing stuff form people who have been stealing then no one would have anything which was theres so would not be stealing) - you cannot be the exception
what is the second way Kant argues we can test if we are following a Categorical Imperative?
using people as a means to an ends - people should be treated with dignity and respect and not as objects.
what is an example of using people as a means to an end?
Boyfriend breaks up with you but you want them back. you date someone else to make your ex jealous - in doing so you are treating the boy as object and not as a person.
what is the Third way Kant argues we can test if we are following a Categorical Imperative?
Kingdom of ends - A hypothetical state where people always act according to the moral rules and create others as ends. - if we lived here could our action (maxim) be something that is permitted.
What is an example of the Kingdom of Ends?
if someone hits you it may be legally acceptable to hit them back. But Kant would argue that you should not as this is not what a perfect society would want you act.
What are Kants own examples to do with the 3 formulations? there are 4
- that it is wrong to make a lying promise.
2.that it is wrong to commit suicide.
3.that it wrong to neglect one’s talent. - that it is wrong to refrain from helping others.
Applying Kantian Ethics to the example of Lying to murderers
A murderer asks you if his next victim is hiding in a certain house. - according to Kant we are morally obliged to tell the truth because we cannot universalise lying. he also argues that we cannot control the outcome so should not be concerned with it.
Applying Kantian Ethics to the example of ‘My sisters Keeper’
Kid is born through IVF to ensure genetic match to dying sister, Kate.
- Kant would say this is using people as a means to an end and therefore is unjustifiable.
Applying Kantian Ethics to the example of Charity
On two different days we see identical charitable appeals on now occasion we give money on the other we don’t.
Kant would say we cannot do this because it based on emotion not logic as emotions are too inconsistent to give clear moral duties.
Applying Kantian Ethics to the example of Business ethics
Business owner can make more money by paying employees less and denying them breaks and by over charging the customer. - Kant prevents this through treating people with respect and not as an object.
Assessing Duty - Prevents emotional and inconsistent responses.
Our desires are subject to change. the concept of duty forces us to remove this emotional attachment and thing rationally in order to do the right thing,
