5.1 Virtue Ethics Flashcards
Why did Kant create virtue ethics?
To create a moral system independent of religion, based on reason and duty
What does deontological mean?
Set of rules focused on actions rather than consequences
What is the Good will?
Kant believed the consequences of actions are no guide to morality and what solely counts is the action- the good will
The good will is fre from self-interest and calculation of consequences, not about pleasurable emotions as it is independent of personal desire
What is a catagorical imperative?
they say ‘do this’- embody our moral duty, unconditionally binding and apply equally to all rational beings
universal and necessary, we can use it to work out laws based on our duty to perform
What is a hypothetical imperative?
Depends on you- commands which are only true in certain situations
if you want x to happen do y
What is the first formulation of Kant’s catagorical imperative?
UNIVERSALISM
- rules applied are the same for everyone in all cultures all the time
2 tests to see if the rules we are creating are universal:
1. Contradiction in conception or contradiction in nature- rule is wrong if the situation requiring the rule is contradictory- e.g If i need money I’ll borrow money with no intention of paying it back. Then meaning no one would lend money causing a contradiction
2. Contradiction in will- can’t will something that blocks the end or the means to get to the end
What is the second formulation of Kant’s catagorical imperative?
RESPECT
- because we are rational beings we have inherent value and Kant believes we must respect this value
- Must consider people’s feelings and needs
Strengths of Kant’s argument
- Takes account of justice
- Makes a sharp distinction between duty and inclination
- Used objective reason- demands consistency and necessity
- Moral authority does not come from God
Weaknesses of Kant’s argument
- Just because a rule is universal does not make it morally good
- Too optimistic- not all humans have rationality or ability to reason
- Creates absolute rules- does not allow exceptions
- Doesn’t say what to do if duties conflict
- Doesn’t rank multiple duties, hard to know by which to act from
- too rigid
Does Kant’s approach compliment religious approaches to Ethics?
Not particularly as he is basing ethics on reason not faith
Who was W.D Ross?
Scottish philosopher arguing for deontological ethics
- Argued Morality should be grounded in moral institutions
- prima facie duties
What is D.W Ross’ ethical argument?
Prima facie duties- duties that are all binding, something you must do unless other stronger moral considerations override obligation
What are the prima facie duties presented by WD Ross?
- fidelity- must keep promises
- reparation- must make amends
- gratitude- being grateful
- justice and fairness- being fair
- benefice- think about others’ feelings
- self-improvement- be the best verion of yourself
- non-malfeasance- not purposefully harming others
What are the criticisms of WD Ross’ moral argument?
- How do we know which duties apply when?
- The duties described may be dervied from societal norms rather than intuition- we do it because it is socially accepted not because it is our duty
- Does not explain the reason for having moral intuitions in the first place, just assumes they exist
- Moral truths are not self-evident as he presents them
What does Thomas Nagel’s deontology say?
- makes a distinction between agent-relative nd agent-neutral reasons for moral decisions
1. agent-relative: stem from personal desires
2. agent-neutral: consider everyone, not just the moral agent making the choice, objective, impersonal - believes moral decision-making should be based on agent-relative reasons, as it allows humans to use their reason
