deontology strengths and weaknesses

Question 1

what is a strength concerning with motivation and consequences?

Answer 1

Motivation is valued over consequences, which are beyond our control. An immoral motive cannot be justified by unforeseen good consequences, but a good motive is, in its self, worthy of value.

Question 2

what did Thomas Negal and Bernard Williams say? in reply to the motivation idea.

Answer 2

However Thomas Negal and Bernard Williams argue that Kant’s theory fails as it ignores the circumstances of a moral action. An individual may think they are doing good by doing x but the circumstances of their action may result in harm being done. Another person may do the same action however the result is a moral good and not harm, this is known as moral luck

Question 3

what is a strength concerning the principle of universality?

Answer 3

but the principle of universality emphasizes that moral actions cannot be just in one society and unjust in another,

Question 4

what is a weakness concerning the universal principle?

Answer 4

the principle of universality is absurd. In theory everything could be universalized but if they were they wouldn’t be moral; ‘every person wearing black shoes should tie the left lace first’ could be universalized, but it does not make it a moral command.

Question 5

what did Kant say? strength

Answer 5

Kant sees humans as being an intrinsic worth and dignity as they are rational beings. Humans cannot be enslaved or exploited. This is the basis of the declaration of human rights.

Question 6

what did Jermey bentham say towards kants argument?

Answer 6

However, Jeremy Bentham said that deontology is essentially an intellectualised version of popular morality, and that the unchanging principles that deontologists attribute to natural law or universal reason are really a matter of subjective opinion