Moral Philosophy

Question 1

Who created Kantianism?

Answer 1

Immanuel Kant the German Philosopher

Question 2

What is Kantian ethics?

Answer 2

Deontelogical - concerned with intentions

Question 3

What do deontologists believe the moral worth of an action should be judged by?

Answer 3

The intentions and not consequences

Question 4

What is another term for the deontelogical approach?

Answer 4

Duty ethics

Question 5

What does Kant believe is the only thing unquestionably good?

Answer 5

The Good Will

Question 6

What is another way of putting ‘the good will’?

Answer 6

Acting out of duty because you believe it’s the right thing to do

Question 7

what does it mean to act out of Duty?

Answer 7

To choose to do something because you believe it’s the right thing to do

Question 8

What does it mean to act out of inclination?

Answer 8

To do something carry out an action without even thinking about it because you were taught it was the right thing

Question 9

Is it better to act out of duty or inclination?

Answer 9

Duty because you have actually chosen to do a good deed instead of not thinking about it
You are making a conscious effort to be a good person

Question 10

How can we follow and know what our duties are?

Answer 10

By creating Maxims

Question 11

What are maxims?

Answer 11

General rules of behaviour which relate to certain situations

Question 12

An example of a maxim

Answer 12

Never lie

Question 13

How do we identify which maxims to follow?

Answer 13

By putting it through the categorical imperative

Question 14

What is a hypothetical imperative?

Answer 14

A conditional statement

Question 15

Give an example of a hypothetical imperative?

Answer 15

If you don’t want to be embarrassed then don’t go clubbing with your mum
(Or any other maxim which fits an exact situation)

Question 16

Should maxims be categorical or hypothetical & why?

Answer 16

They should be categorical as these statements are big conditional and so do not rely on any particular outcome to be followed.
Or they are just easier to follow

Question 17

What is the first formulation of the Categorical imperative?

Answer 17

The Universal law formulation

Question 18

What is the universal law formulation?

Answer 18

This is when you universalise a maxim (see if it can apply to everyone and not just one specific person in that situation)
Asking the question “is it logically possible for everyone to follow this maxim?”

Question 19

What happens if you can’t universalise a maxim?

Answer 19

This creates a contradiction

Question 20

What is a contradiction in conception?

Answer 20

When someone attempts to will something which cannot be logically willed

Question 21

What is a contradiction in the Will?

Answer 21

When someone tries to universalise a maxim that isn’t logically conceivable and the problem most arises when the maxim negatively impacts the person creating it in the future

Question 22

Can you give an example of contradiction in the Will?

Answer 22

“Never help the old”

However, one day you may be old and in need of help

Question 23

What is a perfect duty?

Answer 23

These are duties which have no exceptions

Question 24

What is an imperfect duty?

Answer 24

These are duties which allow exception

Question 25

What is The End In Itself Formulation of The Catagorical Imperative?

Answer 25

To assess whether we are treating someone as a "means to an end" or in other terms, using them for our own gain

Question 26

What does Kant believe all humans are?

Answer 26

Rational autonomous beings = capable of making our own decisions

Question 27

Maxim: Always Tell the Truth A perfect duty/moral law?

Answer 27

Yes. Can be universalised and does not exploit anyone

Question 28

Maxim: Always Lie A perfect duty/moral law?

Answer 28

No. Contradiction in conception. If everyone lied then truth would have no meaning.

Question 29

Can you give an example that brings strength to the kantianism argument?

Answer 29

The Surgeon: 1st surgeon stays up all night working hard on a patient to cure them of their back pain. However, his hands slip and the patient is paralysed but their intentions were good. 2nd surgeon does the same thing and both times the patient dies. However? This

Question 30

What is the problem with motives?

Answer 30

It is impossible to pick a good maxim without considering its consequences when we discuss universalising is etc

Question 31

What are the two problems with maxims?

Answer 31

The fact that they are deemed inconsistent needs clarification Trivial maxims

Question 32

What is the problem with trivial maxims?

Answer 32

Maxims may pass the categorical imperative, however they are not essential human life so are they aren't really worthy of what Kant calls, 'moral law'

Question 33

What is the problem with duties - explain?

Answer 33

Conflicting duties When there may be one or more maxims which are equally good and pass the categorical imperative.. So you do not know which one is the moral right one

Question 34

Can you give an example of conflicting Duties?

Answer 34

If your friend is self harming and makes you promise not to tell anyone. You have one duty to your friend to not break this promise but you also have another to get them help.

Question 35

Can you name a situation in which you are morally obliged to go against your duty and deviate from moral law?

Answer 35

The enquiring murderer scenario When a murderer asks you where your child is hiding. You have to deviate from the maxim, "never lie" which is moral law in order to save your child's life.

Question 36

In what way can we find fault in Kants ideas of Motives?

Answer 36

He ignores good motives such as acting out of the sake of love or art and simply says we act out of duty

Question 37

In what way can we find fault in Kants belief that by following your duty you are morally correct + example?

Answer 37

Misguided perceptions of duty E.g. People following racially segregating laws. Although they may not agree with them, they still follow them because they believe it's their duty. Even though, these are morally wrong.

Question 38

Can you name all the main criticisms of Kantianism? (6)

Answer 38

1) the problem with motives - no consideration of consequences but Kant then contradicts himself through his considerations of maxims 2) the inconsistency of maxims needing clarification 3) some maxims are pointless but pass both phases of the categorical imperative 4) conflicting duties 5) ignores other good motives such as love and art 6) misguided perceptions of duty