Kant

Question 1

What is the only thing Kant regards as good without qualification?

Answer 1

A good will.

Question 2

Why can we never have absolute certainty?

Answer 2

All our sense perceptions can be mistaken.

Question 3

Why one could never argue logically from an ‘is’ to an ‘ought’?

Answer 3

Facts can only show what is the case, and not what ought to be the case.

Question 4

What is a sense of moral obligation?

Answer 4

To believe there is something we ought to do, irrespective of the consequences it may have for us.

Question 5

What is an advantage of moral obligation?

Answer 5

Once these principles are established, they might be applied universally, since they do not depend on particular circumstances.

Question 6

Why is his theory deontological?

Answer 6

Establishes the rules and principles by which this sense of duty can conform to human reason.

Question 7

When are you not acting morally?

Answer 7

If you do what you enjoy, or what gives you some personal
benefit.

Question 8

What is a moral action based on?

Answer 8

Pure practical reason, following rational principles.

Question 9

True or False
The existence of this categorical ‘ought’ does not mean that we should do ‘duty for duty’s sake whatever the consequences’.

Answer 9

True

Question 10

Why is Kant’s ethic is not ‘absolutely’ deontological?

Answer 10

He doesn’t ignore the consequences of our actions.

Question 11

What can the outcome tell us about an act?

Answer 11

Whether the principle you want to act on conforms to
the Categorical Imperative.

Question 12

What is the Categorical Imperative?

Answer 12

A rational, reflective principle which leads us to universal maxims that everybody ought to follow.

Question 13

What is universalisability?

Answer 13

Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.

Question 14

What is the Principle Imperative?

Answer 14

Act in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never simply as a means, but always at the same time as an end.

Question 15

How do the first and second formulations link?

Answer 15

If you can will that the principle upon which you act should become a universal principle of law, then you must be prepared for everyone else to make the same moral choice.

Question 16

What does the Kingdom of Ends mean?

Answer 16

You should always act as though you were responsible for making rules in a kingdom where everyone is to be treated as an ‘end’ not a means.

Question 17

How does Kant respond to the challenge ‘radical evil’ against the Categorical Imperative?

Answer 17

Humanity has a universal tendency towards radical evil.
Radical evil happens when people focus on a maxim of self-interest, which leads them to bend every other maxim to that one maxim.

Question 18

Why did Kant have no respect for those who appeared to achieve happiness without regard to the morality of their means of doing so?

Answer 18

One should not strive to be happy, but worthy of happiness.

Question 19

What are the 3 ‘postulates of practical reason’?

Answer 19

God, freedom and immortality.

Question 20

How could you criticise the claim that ‘the Categorical Imperative and universalisability is simple and effective’?

Answer 20

If we look at the state of the world, it is obvious that there are no agreed universal moral rules, so the idea of a Categorical Imperative is Kant’s wishful thinking.

Question 21

What problem with Bentham’s utilitarianism does Kant highlight?

Answer 21

Emphasis on consequences means that a utilitarian is justified in doing a bad act to bring about good consequences.

Question 22

Why does the claim that ‘Kant’s theory cuts out emotion in favour of reason’ make the theory unrealistic?

Answer 22

It is impossible for humans to ignore their emotions because emotions are part of what it means to be human.

Question 23

How could you criticise the claim that ‘Kant’s theory is influential today because the modern emphasis on
human rights, equality and justice stems from him’?

Answer 23

Kant’s emphasis is completely anthropocentric, so humans alone have intrinsic value.
This justifies animal cruelty.

Question 24

Why can it be argued that Kant’s theory is not secular?

Answer 24

Kant’s three postulates of practical reason include two that are religious - God and immortality.

Question 25

What are prima facie duties?

Answer 25

Moral actions that are required unless a greater obligation takes precedence - e.g you should lie to a manic to protect the innocent.

Question 26

Is Kant’s concept of the good will compatible with Christian
ideas about virtue?

Answer 26

Yes
It’s compatible with the Christian idea that the virtuous man is the one who freely practises the good because that is part
of his religious intentions.

Question 27

How is Kant and Aquinas’ use of reason similar?

Answer 27

Kant - pure practical reason chooses actions because they are good in themselves.
Aquinas - reason is a God given faculty that underpins morality.

Question 28

How is the ‘end’ of moral decision-making is similar for Kant and Aquinas?

Answer 28

Kant - the end is to achieve the perfect union of virtue and happiness in the summum bonum.
Aquinas - the end is union with God in the next life.

Question 29

How is Kant’s principle of universalisability compatible with
religious ideas concerning our behaviour to others?

Answer 29

‘Do unto others as you would have them do to you.’
This is the essence of the Categorical Imperative/the principle of universalisability, as is Jesus’ statement that the second great principle of religion is to love one’s neighbour as oneself.

Question 30

Explain why Kant’s system is based on Enlightenment values of reason and autonomy.

Answer 30

His view of the Categorical Imperative, universalisability, and
the value of individuals as ends in themselves, together with the ideal society as being a ‘kingdom of ends’, all suggest the inherent value of individuals, and the rule of human reason, without reference to religion.

Question 31

Choose the correct word
The moral law must be (autonomous / religious) for the agent to have a good will.

Answer 31

Autonomous

Question 32

Does Kant make an appeal to any text or scripture as an ethical authority?

Answer 32

No
All such authority is invested in the moral agent, who has to assent to the CI through practical reason.

Question 33

How can Kant’s principle of universalisability be used in secular ethics?

Answer 33

If moral law and the good will are autonomous, and if moral autonomy is invested in the moral agent rather than in any text or scripture, then the religious parts of Kant’s theory can be abandoned without weakening his ethical approach.