Intro Flashcards
What is Kant’s definition of Enlightenment?
“Enlightenment is man’s emergence from his self-imposed immaturity.”
What is Kant’s definition of Enlightenment?: Analysis
- encapsulates his belief in the transformative power of reason.
- intellectual independence and the courage to think for oneself
- shift from reliance on external authorities to the autonomy of the individual.
What was the problem Enlightenment thinkers like Kant wanted to solve?
They wanted to solve the problem that people of different faiths could never come to agreement, which had led to destructive religious warfare in Europe.
What was Kant’s solution to religious disagreements?
To base religion and ethics on reason, not faith, as reason is universal while faith is not.
How did Kant believe a society based on reason would benefit?
It would create a more harmonious society with the hope of coming to agreement through rational discussion.
How did Kant view faith-based morality?
He saw it as imposing laws on people as if they were children, whereas humanity was ready for greater autonomy through reason.
What new stage of civilization did Kant envision?
An enlightened stage where individuals align their rational will with universal laws, fostering global cooperation.
What was Kant’s reaction to Hume’s ethical views?
Kant reacted against Hume’s empiricist ethical anti-realism, which denied the existence of right and wrong, reducing morality to personal feelings.
How does Kant believe reason relates to universal laws?
Reason discovers universal laws, like those of math and physics, so a moral law discoverable by reason will also be universal.
What does basing morality on reason imply for Kant?
It means morality is not based on subjective desires and is not contingent on personal feelings, making it categorical, not hypothetical.
What is the test of whether an action is morally right according to Kant?
Whether the action could be universalized, meaning it could be done by anyone in any situation regardless of personal feelings.
What does Kant mean by “universalizability”?
Actions that can be universally applied in any situation are morally right and are considered our duty.
What type of ethics is Kantian ethics classified as?
Deontological, meaning it is duty-based. Moral action depends on doing the right action with the right intention, regardless of personal feelings, the situation, or the consequences.
