Kant

Question 1

When was Kant alive?

Answer 1

1724 – 1804

Question 2

Who was Kant?

Answer 2

German thinker from East Prussia (now Russia).

One most influential philosophers in Western Philosophy.

Question 3

What type of theory is Kantian ethics?

Answer 3

Deontological & absolute.

Certain acts are always right or wrong - it does not allow any exceptions to it’s rule and can be applied universally.

Question 4

How did Kant believe humans access universal moral law?

Answer 4

Through using reason.

Question 5

What was Kant quoted saying about reason?

Answer 5

“Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing admiration and awe … the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me.” Kant 1788

Question 6

What theory did Kant completely reject?

Answer 6

Moral knowledge is gained by pure reason not by sense experience – this is in direct contrast to utilitarianism which Kant rejected.

Question 7

What are the two types of statement Kant believed in?

Answer 7

A priori analytic

A posteriori analytic

Question 8

What is a priori analytic?

Answer 8

A priori analytic: is true in itself but cannot be proven by seeing or observing something.
e.g. 1+1=2

Question 9

What is a posteriori analytic?

Answer 9

A posteriori synthetic: can be tested , can be true/false and can be proven by observation.
e.g. ‘It is sunny today!’

Question 10

What were moral statements to Kant?

Answer 10

Moral statements were, for Kant, a priori synthetic - we cannot prove what someone should do just by seeing/observing the act (a priori) and they may or may not be true (synthetic).

Question 11

Why do humans have to appeal to reason?

Answer 11

To know for sure if a statement is right or wrong (e.g. murder is wrong). We need a test or formula to help us to know what is right or wrong and we apply this test using our reason.

Question 12

What does Kant believe about good will?

Answer 12

The only thing that is totally and completely good without exception is a goodwill.
Some things we think of as good could be used for bad purposes, therefore not absolutely good eg bravery.
Good will is the only ‘good’ that cannot be used for a bad purpose.

Question 13

What was Kant quoted saying about good will?

Answer 13

“Good will shines forth like a precious jewel”

Question 14

What did Kant say about duty?

Answer 14

Good will is to do one’s duty
One’s duty is to perform actions that are morally required- avoid actions that are morally forbidden
Why do we do our duty?
Because it’s our duty to do it!
= “Duty for duty’s sake”

Question 15

What did Kant say humans seek?

Answer 15

Kant believed that human beings seek an ultimate end – the supreme good.

Question 16

What is the summum bonum?

Answer 16

A state in which human virtue and happiness are united, impossible to reach in one lifetime.

Question 17

What did Kant believe about theories for God’s existence?

Answer 17

Kant rejected theological arguments for the existence of God but his ethical theory assumes immortality and God’s existence.

Question 18

What is postulate?

Answer 18

A necessary assumption especially as a basis of an argument.

Question 19

What is the 1st postulate of practical reason?

Answer 19

We can postulate the EXISTENCE OF GOD and the BELIEF IN IMMORTALITY because despite being inclined towards good and doing one’s duty, this does not always lead to happiness in this world.

Question 20

What is the 2nd postulate of practical reason?

Answer 20

We can postulate our FREEDOM as we are aware of having to make a moral decision and if we were not free to make that decision there would be no decision to make.

Question 21

What is the 3rd postulate of practical reason?

Answer 21

We can postulate that there is an afterlife (IMMORTALITY) where the Summum Bonum is achieved.

Question 22

What makes an action good?

Answer 22

An action is only good if a person acts from a sense of good will.

Question 23

What are out duties as rational people to ourselves?

Answer 23

1. Not committing suicide
2. Not lusting after people of thing
3. Not being drunk
4. Not being greedy
5. Not lying
6. Not acting in a manner that undervalues yourself

Question 24

What are our duties as rational people to other rational people?

Answer 24

1. To be generous
2. To be grateful
3. To be sympathetic
4. To respect people as individuals and equals

Question 25

What did W.D. Ross say about duty?

Answer 25

He claimed duties were the prima facie and it is left to us to decide in a particular situation which duty is our actual duty.

Question 26

What were W.D. Ross’ prima facie duties?

Answer 26

1. Keeping promises
2. Making up for any wrong actions
3. Gratitude
4. Justice
5. Helping others
6. Avoid harming others
7. Self-improvement

Question 27

What is the Hypothetical Imperative?

Answer 27

A command to act to achieve a desired result.
There is no imperative to obey it unless you want to achieve the outcome.
Therefore it is not moral.

Question 28

What is the Categorical Imperative?

Answer 28

A command to act that is good in itself regardless of the consequences.

Question 29

What is the first formulation of the Categorical Imperative?

Answer 29

Formula of the law of nature – act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.

Question 30

What is the second formulation of the Categorical Imperative?

Answer 30

Formula of the end in itself – act that you treat humanity, both in your own person and in the person of every other human being, never merely as a means, but always at the same times as an end.

Question 31

What is the third formulation of the Categorical Imperative?

Answer 31

Formula of the kingdom of ends – act as if you are a legislating member in the universal kingdom of ends.