Deontology

Question 1

Define deontology

Answer 1

We have moral duties to do things that are right and moral duties to not do things that are wrong. Whether something is right or wrong doesn’t depend on the consequences. Rather, an action is right or wrong in itself

Question 2

Relate these concepts to Kant’s philosophy:

rationality, autonomy, heteronomy, duty and intention

Answer 2

If we follow reason we’re autonomous

If we follow emotions we’re heteronomous

Morality is grounded by duty

Morality is located in the act itself and the intention

We should use our rationality when making decisions

Question 3

What does Kant mean by a “good will”?

Answer 3

To have good will is to always be motivated by duty with no qualification

It is good in and of itself

An action is deemed moral of the attribute is paired with good will

Question 4

What does the categorical imperative tell us

Answer 4

Tells us what our duties are

Question 5

Outline formula one of the categorical imperative

Universality formula (decision making procedure)

Answer 5

Act only on that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law

If everyone did the same thing then it must be right

Question 6

Outline the second formula of the categorical imperative

Humanity formula

Answer 6

Act in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never simply as a means, but always at the same time as an end

Never treat someone as a means to an end

Question 7

Why does Kant insist that moral actions should be universal and a priori

Answer 7

Is a priori because it’s based on rationality

Morals are universal so the same principles apply to everyone

Question 8

Explain what the hypothetical imperative is

Answer 8

Statements about what you ought to do

Specify a means to an end

Can be avoided by giving up desired goal

Question 9

Explain how the universality formula is used to derive moral duties

Answer 9

It tells us that if everyone did the same thing then it must be right

Question 10

Explain the following:

Contradiction in conceivability

Perfect duty

Answer 10

Contradiction in conceivability: logically impossible to conceptualise

Perfect duty: praiseworthy if you do, do it.
Blameworthy if you don’t do it

Question 11

Explain the following:

Contradiction in will

Imperfect duty

Answer 11

Contradiction in will: logically possible
-produced if universalising the negation of a maxim undermines our ability to will to universalise future maxims

Imperfect duty: praiseworthy if you do, do it
Not blameworthy if you don’t
Eg Give to charity

Question 12

Outline how Kant arrives at perfect and imperfect duties

Answer 12

1. Take a possible maxim
2. Negate it
3. Universalise it

If a contradiction in conceivability it is a perfect duty

If a contradiction in will it is an imperfect duty

Question 13

Outline the issue of application

Answer 13

Can change the maxim by rewording it.

This means that any maxim can be universalised and the bad intention can be justified eg if you have 5 letters in your name you can steal

*he responds with that his theory is concerned with actual maxims not made up ones

Question 14

Outline the issue of moral value

Answer 14

Kant says that morality is located in acts and intentions but we have the intuition that it would be located in the consequences

*he replies with there are no ends that are good without qualification

Question 15

Outline the issue of the value of certain motives and commitments

Answer 15

We want to benefit people because it’s our duty to do so not because we like them

Kant makes the motive of duty the only motive of moral worth and doing something good for someone because you want to is morally right not morally good.

• response: putting duty above feeling me in our motives seems inhuman
• Kant responds by saying that feelings shouldn’t be important as to what is morally right

Question 16

Outline the issue of conflicting duties

Answer 16

Kant argues that our moral duties are absolute. If you are forced with a situation where two moral duties conflict Kant’s theory implies that whatever you do is will be wrong

*Kant’s response: a real conflict would never occur, if there is a conflict then we’ve misunderstood one of the duties

Question 17

Moral cases: treatment of animals

Answer 17

If we harm animals then we’ve got bad characteristics which could effect possible future maxims
If we harm animals then we could end up harming humans

Question 18

Moral cases: crime and punishment

Answer 18

Reforming someone is treating them as a means to an end because you’re reforming them for society which includes consequences

You’re not respecting them as a self conscious rational agent