Evalautation of Kantian deontological ethics

Question 1

main claim of Kantian deontological ethics

Answer 1

• to act morally is to act out of duties which are discoverable by reason
• the only good thing is ‘good will’

Question 2

1st objection

Answer 2

problems with the first formulation (not all universalisable maxims are moral)

Question 3

what does the 1st objection mean
problems with the first formulation (not all universalisable maxims are moral)

Answer 3

• in Kants view, if a maxim can be universalised, then it is morally permissible
• however, there are many maxims that can be universalised without a contradiction in conception, but they seem intuitively wrong
• e.g. “to steal gifts from large shops when there are 7 letters in my name”
  universalising this maxim, only people with 7 letters in their name would steal only gifts from only large shops. the case applies very rarely that there is no breakdown in the concept of private property (no contradiction in conception), so it is perfectly possible for this law to apply to everyone

Question 4

what is the 2nd objection

Answer 4

problems with the first formulation: not all non-universalisable maxims are immoral

Question 5

what does problems with the first formulation: “not all non-universalisable maxims are immoral” mean

Answer 5

• Kants view is that if a maxim cannot be universalised, then it is morally wrong to act on it
• however there are many maxims that cannot be universalised but are obviously morally good or morally neutral
  e.g. “I will let others go through doors before me”. this maxim will be rules our at immoral by Kants universalisition test because they cannot be universalised without a contradictionin conception, but they do not seem to be wrong.

Question 6

why is problems with the first formulation: “not all non-universalisable maxims are immoral” an issue

Answer 6

• Kants first formulation is unsuccessful in guiding us in what duties we have and so how we should act.

Question 7

what is the 3rd objection

Answer 7

the problem of clashing/competing duties

Question 8

what does the problem of clashing/competing duties mean

Answer 8

• the agent is morally required to do each of 2 or more actions
• the agent can do each of the actions
• but the agent cannot do both or all of the actions
• the agent therefore seems condemned to moral failure, no matter what they do they will do something wrong or fail to do something that she ought to do