5.1 Deontology

Question 1

Categorical Imperative

Answer 1

A moral duty that is universally binding across all circumstances and not dependant upon any contingent requirements or people’s sentiments

Question 2

Hypothetical Imperative

Answer 2

A moral duty that only arises or applies if one desires the contingent goal it is aimed towards

Question 3

Formula of humanity

Answer 3

The second formulation of the categorical imperative, which holds that all rational beings should be treated as ends

Question 4

Imperfect Duties

Answer 4

Moral duties that a person is required to uphold but not in all circumstances or contexts

Question 5

Perfect Duties

Answer 5

Moral duties that a person is obliged to commit to at all times, irrespective of context or situation

Question 6

Agent-Relative

Answer 6

Reasons for action that relate to a person’s own desires, motives and relationships

Question 7

Agent-Neutral

Answer 7

Reasons for action that do not relate to a person’s own desires, motives or relationships and apply to all human beings equally

Question 8

Kingdom of Ends

Answer 8

Kant’s hypothetical utopia, where each person treats everyone else as an end

Question 9

Kantian deontology introduction

Answer 9

Argued that morality is independant of God’s and everyone else’s will: it is part of the fabric of the universe and something we can all discover through reason. We have a sense of moral duty - we feel we know what is right and wrong and we feel compelled to chose what is right.

Kant’s approach to ethics is based on the two key ideas of reason and duty, which together form a consistent deontological system.

Question 10

The good will

Answer 10

Kant believed the consequences of any action are no guide to the morality of that action.
What counts is solely the motive behind the action - the good will.
The good will is free from self-interest or calculation of consquenc