Deontology (Kant) Flashcards

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1
Q

What is Kant’s argument regarding morality?

A

Morality is independent of God’s and everyone’s will: it is part of something we all discover through reason.

We have a sense of moral good - we know what is right and wrong, and feel compelled to do what is right

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2
Q

Define the good will.

A

Free from self-interest or calculation of consequences (not from your own desires). It focuses on acting solely because it is the right thing to do and your own choice.

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3
Q

What is the hypothetical imperative.

A

Commands only true in certain situation and depend on situations - “If you want x to happen. then you should do y.”

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4
Q

Define the categorical imperative.

A

Our moral duty [“do this”], equal to all rational beings universal and necessary

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5
Q

What is the principle of universability? (First formulation)

A

Kant wants us to make rules that we live by objective [whatever we do as ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ are objective rather than being on personal experience]

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6
Q

What is the second formulation?

A

Respect humanity ~ as we are all rational beings with inherent value, we should treat each other as ‘ends’ in ourselves (consider feelings/wants)

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6
Q

For the first formulation, what two tests did Kant devise?

A
  • Contradiction in conception/nature: a maxim is wrong if the situation in which everyone acted on that maxim would be self contradictory
  • Contradiction in will” you must achieve your ends and will it
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7
Q

Provide some strengths to Kant’s argument.

A
  • Takes justice into account (universability)
  • Distinction made between duty and inclination/desires
  • Objective reason as basis to arguement
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8
Q

Provide some weaknesses to Kant’s argument.

A
  • Some universal rules aren’t necessarily good (i.e., writing name on book)
  • Not all humans have the same desires
  • Disregards exceptions (if all rules are absolute)
  • Does not consider our own feelings
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9
Q

Why would one argue that Kant is compatible with religious approaches to ethics?

A
  • Summum bonum [not the reason for being moral] not often achieved in life, immortality of the soul and God must exist so summum bonum is achieved after death
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10
Q

What is Ross’s deontological argument?

A

Morality should be grounded in our moral intuitions - what we think is right in itself

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11
Q

How do prima facie duties help?

A

They bind all beings together as equal

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12
Q

Provide the seven prima facie duties.

A
  • Fidelity (don’t break promise)
  • Reparation
  • Gratitude
  • Justice/fairness
  • Beneficence (well-being of others)
  • Self-improvement
  • Non-malfeasance (not purposely harming others)
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13
Q

Provide some criticisms on Ross’s ethical argument.

A
  • How do we know which duties apply to which cases?
  • Duties might not be derived from reason, but society’s values on specific upbringing
  • Does not explain origins of moral intutions
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14
Q

Nagel’s central question in ethics focuses on the reasoning behind moral choices. What is the distinction made between agent-relative and agent-neutral reason?

A
  • Agent-relative: personal desires, commitments, projects
  • Agent-neutral: consider everyone (impersonal and objective)
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15
Q

Agent-relative reasons are for autonomy, deontological, and obligations, how?

A
  • Autonomy: choices based on projects, desires, interest (no value for others)
  • Deontological: do not maltreat others
  • Obligations: towards people close to you