Deontology

Question 1

Who developed Deontology?

Answer 1

Immanuel Kant.

Question 2

What does ‘deo’ mean?

Answer 2

Duty.

Question 3

What is Duty Ethics Tradition (Deontology)?

Answer 3

It is a Non-Consequentialist tradition which focuses on the intension/duties rather than the outcomes/consequences of the action.

Question 4

What does Deontology care about?

Answer 4

WHY you did what you did and NOT WHAT you did.

Question 5

How does Kant consider Moral Principles?

Answer 5

He considers them to be a priori - independent of experience.

Question 6

Who are Moral Agents according to Deontology and Why?

Answer 6

Only Humans are Moral Agents - Kant proposed that only Humans can reason.
We possess rationality and reason. Through this, we have Free Choice -> Anthropocentric.

Question 7

Define Moral Agent within Kantian Ethics.

Answer 7

A person with the capacity to act morally.

Question 8

Define Maxim within Kantian Ethics.

Answer 8

Rule/Principle.

Question 9

Define Will within Kantian Ethics.

Answer 9

The faculty of deciding, choosing or acting.

Question 10

Define Imperative within Kantian Ethics.

Answer 10

Command.

Question 11

What is the Kantian Duty Process.

Answer 11

Intention -> Action -> Consequence.

Question 12

Define Sense of Duty.

Answer 12

Allows us to take ‘commands.’
Respects and advances personal autonomy (Freedom).

Question 13

What tradition is Consequential?

Answer 13

Utilitarianism.

Question 14

What does Teleological mean?

Answer 14

Telos = Outcomes.
Consequence based view of ethics.

Question 15

What are the x3 ways in which Deontology and Utilitarianism differ?

Answer 15

1. Non-Consequential VS Consequential
2. Determined by Intention VS Outcomes
3. Only behaviour that is considered ethical is if it:
   has Duty and goodwill behind the action VS produces the greatest good for greatest number

Question 16

List and Explain Kant’s x3 Maxims (Rules/Principles).

Answer 16

1. Duty - an action has moral worth/value if it is done for the sake of duty.
2. Universality (Categorical Imperative) - an action is morally correct if its maxim can be willed as a universal law. Act as if the maxim of your action was to become through your will a universal law.
3. Respect and Equality - always treat humanity as an end in and of itself and NOT as a means to an end.

Question 17

What are the x2 Imperatives of Kantian Ethics?

Answer 17

1. Hypothetical - if…then
2. Categorical.

Question 18

Explain the x2 Imperative of Kantian Ethics.

Answer 18

1. Hypothetical - represent duties that provide a means to an end
2. Categorical - absolutely binding duty - always command and universal duty - duties that are ends in and of themselves

Question 19

Which of the x2 Imperatives is not always Ethical and Why?

Answer 19

Hypothetical - if you want to maximise profit in your factory, then it is your duty to make employees work longer shifts.

Question 20

List and Explain x7 Weaknesses of Deontology.

Answer 20

1. Dispenses completely with the notion of ‘feelings.’ Suggests that feelings cloud an issue rather than inform it. Feelings are replaced with a sense of duty.
2. Does not always see the Bigger Picture.
3. Only deals with humans.
4. Absolutism/Universalism can be problematic when dealing with ethics/morals where relativism has a role to play too.
5. Consequences often matter within the context of Ethics.
6. Does nothing to resolve conflict of duties. Which comes first - duty of mother, wife, sister, daughter, employer…?
7. Says we all have Free-Will. How free are we?

Question 21

List and Explain x6 Strengths of Deontology.

Answer 21

1. Proposes that there are universal standards of ethics requiring duties/responsibilities that are to be followed by ALL.
2. Has Egalitarianism built into its philosophical framework. We are all moral agents.
3. Consequences/Outcomes do not make something morally ‘right/wrong.’ The proposed intrinsic in Deontology is Duty.
4. Does not rely on religious belief. Universal moral standard exists apart/outside of spirituality.
5. Does not have self-interest at its core, rather respect for oneself and one’s fellow human beings.
6. Based on reason and rationality.

Question 22

Explain the dualism that exists between Right and Responsibilities.

Question 23

Does a sense of Duty respect and advance our sense of Morality?

Question 24

Name what you consider to be a contemporary categorical imperative.

Question 25

How does Duty Ethics tie in with Engineering?

Answer 25

Duty Ethics is the basis of the engineering professional code of Ethics - specifically regarding Public Health & Safety. Engineers have the duty of product and client confidentiality.