Deontological Ethics

Question 1

Outline Deontological Ethics

Answer 1

• Concerned with actions that are right or wrong in themselves
• Moral actions should be performed for their own sake
• ‘Deontology’ = Greek for “obligation”
• Hypothetical Imperative presents something to gain
• Catagorical Imperatives are moral, and do not depend on our preferences or desires
• Only humans are moral as we have free-will
• Maxims are underlying principles for our actions and should be derived from reason alone
• 1st Formulation: our maxims should be universalisable
• 2nd Formulation: others should be treated as ends in themselves

Question 2

Outline the “Consequences of actions determine their moral value” criticism of Deontological Ethics (and reply)

Answer 2

Kant insists that consequences do not matter from a moral point of view. But SURELY consequences are a factor e.g. telling a lie to save a life - this should be seen as moral, but a lie wouldn’t align with Kant’s formulation
Reply: the murderer (from the example) would be immoral

Question 3

Outline the “Problems with the application of the principle” criticism of Deontological Ethics (and reply)

Answer 3

-Maxims are always moral if the action could be consistently performed by anyone in a similar situation with the same reasons
-e.g. the maxim “Kill all the Jews” would comply
-Kant’s theory is too easy to satisfy
Reply: (2nd Formulation) The Nazis were aiming to produce a master race

Question 4

Outline the “The value of certain motives and commitments” criticism of Deontological Ethics (and reply)

Answer 4

-Visiting a friend out of desire would have no moral worth
-However, visiting a friend out of duty/reason would be moral, according to Kant
-The theory removes us as emotional beings
Reply: Duty is misunderstood. Duty is not external but rather derived from judgement. Visiting a friend without the emotional component would be immoral. The flaw isn’t that actions are done from duty, but rather: having the rationale to understand the relevant duty determines morality.

Question 5

Outline the “Conflicts of duty” criticism of Deontological Ethics (and reply)

Answer 5

What if we have to steal in order to keep a promise? ‘Keeping Promises’ and ‘Not Stealing’ are logical maxims or ‘perfect duties’ - which allow no exception
Reply: A collision of duties/obligations is inconceivable (in this case, the promise should not have been made)

Question 6

Outline the “Too strict” criticism of Deontological Ethics (and reply)

Answer 6

Lying may be beneficial, but Kant’s theory is too rigid and allows for no exception
Reply: Universal principles need not be so specific, rather it should allow for differentiation on according to what is specific

Question 7

List the 5 criticisms of Deontological Ethics

Answer 7

1. Consequences of actions determine their moral value
2. Problems with the application of the principle
3. The value of certain motives and commitments
4. Duty is misunderstood
5. Too strict