Deontology Flashcards
What are moral judgements?
They are true or false and actions are right or wrong only relative to some particular standpoint.
Descriptive relativism
is a thesis about cultural diversity. it hold that as a matter of fact moral beliefs and practivies vaary between cutlures
Non-ethical realism
There is a no objective moral order that makes our moral belief true or false and our actions right or wrong.
normative relativism
It is wrong to jduge or interfere wit the moral beliefs and practices of cultures that operate with a dofferent moral framework to one ones own. That is what goes on in a society should be judged only by the norms of that society
cultural rel.
practices of human beings are best understood by grasping them in relation to the cultural context in which they occur.
how to moral rel. promote tolerance?
Become aware of the merelt relative validity of one’s onw moral norms makes one less likely to fall into arrogant ethnocetntrism and less inclined to pass moral judgement on the beliefs and practices found in other cultures.
Difference between utilitarianism and deontology
For uitl. consequences determine whether an action is moral or immoral. in deontology, the reason why an action is undertaken determines whether an action is moral or immoral.
argument against moral rel.
rel. imples that obvious moral wrongs are acceptable.
- rel. rest on an incoherent notion of truth.
- rel. undermines the possibility of a society being self-critical (you cant judge what is the norm)
What is deontology
it is the study of the nature or duty and obligation.
What is the only thing that is good according to deontology?
Good will.
Talk about good will
- A good will is one that responds to reason
- A person has a good will if he or she is committed only
to make decisions that she holds to be morally worthy - A good will is a will whose decisions are wholly
determined by moral demands
What is a hypothetical imperative
Hypothetical imperatives are commands that tell us what
we should do, but they do not express moral laws
What does willing an end mean?
it involves more than desiring, it requires actively choosing or commiting to the end rahter than merel finding oneself with a passive desire for it.
what is in imperative
it is a commnad addressed to agents who could follow it but might not
What does it mean for something to be catefgorical
something is categorical in virture of applying to us unconditionally - in all times and in all places.
Difference between hypothetical imp. and categorical imp.
hypotheical imperative are relative to a desire or goal and categorical imperatives are not.
What was the first formulation of the categorical imperative
“act only in accordance with that maxim through which
you can at the same time will that it become a universal
law”
What are the steps to formulating a categorical imperative.
- First, formulate a maxim that enshrines your reason for acting as
you propose - Second, recast that maxim as a universal law of nature governing
all rational agents, and so as holding that all must, by natural law,
act as you yourself propose to act in these circumstances. - Third, consider whether your maxim is even conceivable in a
world governed by this law of nature - If it is, then, fourth, ask yourself whether you would, or could,
rationally will to act on your maxim in such a world. If you could,
then your action is morally permissible
The humanity formula (a.k.a the means end formula)
This formulation states that we should never act in such a
way that we treat humanity, whether in ourselves or in
others, as a means only but always as an end in itself.
- introduces the idea of ‘respect’ for other people
proper regard for someting with ___ value or worth requires ____ for it.
absolute, respect
What are the 3 law of nature formulas
- the humanity formula
- the autonomy formula
- the kingdom of ends formula
what is the autonomy formula
everything that you do contibutes
