Moral: Kant 3. kant's categorical imperative two objections Flashcards
(25 cards)
What is Kant’s categorical imperative?
Act only on that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.
What is the first objection to Kant’s categorical imperative?
Issues with the link between universalizability and morality.
What is an example of a universalizable but wrong maxim?
The maxim ‘I will steal gifts from large shops and when there are seven letters in my name’.
Fill in the blank: It is _________ possible to universalise the maxim ‘to steal gifts from large shops and when there are seven letters in my name’.
logically
Fill in the blank: Stealing according to this maxim would occur so ______ that there would be no general breakdown in the concept of ______________.
rarely; morality
What is Kant’s position on the content of maxims?
We need to be honest about the content of our maxims.
What is a better example of a universalizable maxim that is questionable?
‘To make a false promise rather than ask for help but only in desperate circumstances.’
How does Kant view lying in the case of a would-be murderer at the door?
He believes lying is always wrong.
List four reasons why lying to the would-be murderer is considered wrong according to Kant.
- It violates the first formulation of the categorical imperative
- It disregards the consequences
- It fails to be honest about the content of our maxims
- It contradicts the second formulation of the categorical imperative
What is Elizabeth Anscombe’s criticism of Kant’s ethics?
Kant’s rule about universalizable maxims is useless without stipulations on what counts as a relevant description of an action.
What does Foot argue about Kant’s view of categorical imperatives?
Foot argues that moral rules are not really categorical and that immorality is not always irrational.
What does Kant believe gives moral commands their binding force?
They derive from pure reason and apply unconditionally.
How does Foot view the concept of moral rules?
Moral rules should be understood as hypothetical imperatives depending on moral ends/goals.
Fill in the blank: A hypothetical imperative is a __________ that presupposes some further _____ or ______.
command; goal; desire
What is the difference between a hypothetical and a categorical imperative?
A categorical imperative applies full stop, regardless of any external goal or desire.
What is a ‘contradiction in conception’?
A maxim is wrong if the situation in which everyone acted on that maxim is somehow self-contradictory or inconceivable.
What is a ‘contradiction in will’?
It is logically possible to universalize the maxim, but we can’t rationally will it.
What is the Formula of Humanity?
Act in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never simply as a means, but always at the same time as an end.
What is Foot’s view on the binding force of moral rules?
They have binding force because they are taught from childhood, given great importance, and enforced stringently.
What is Kant’s understanding of irrationality?
It is irrational to will to do what you will others not to do.
What does Foot think makes an action irrational?
Acting in a way that defeats your own purposes.
According to Foot, why do we treat moral rules as obligatory?
Because they are taught from childhood and given great importance.
What is an amoralist?
A person who does not care about morality.
What is a key criticism of Foot’s view on morality?
If moral principles are just hypothetical, there’s no strong reason to do what is right.
