Kant

Question 1

When was Kant a Scholar?

Answer 1

Enlightenment

Question 2

Absolute Moral Truth

Answer 2

humans ability to reason

Question 3

a priori

Answer 3

moral decisions based on reason alone

Question 4

hypothetical imperative

Answer 4

where a decision is based on the consequences (Kant dismisses this!)

Question 5

free reasoning individuals

Answer 5

humans can decide what is best to do based on using their reason

Question 6

categorical imperative

Answer 6

these are moral rules which must apply to all people in all circumstances

Question 7

universalise

Answer 7

we must ask ourselves at each decision we make whether we would want that action to be universalized (everyone can do that thing)

Question 8

big Kant quote

Answer 8

“Act only according to that maxim that you will at the same time, become universal law.”

Question 9

Lying promise

Answer 9

Example:
when a man takes out a loan from a friend but he knows that he will not be able to repay it. But he hopes his friend will forgive him

Question 10

The formula of ends in itself

Answer 10

never treat anyone as a means TO AN END in himself

Question 11

the formula of the kingdom of ends

Answer 11

act only as you are in the KINGDOM OF ENDS

Question 12

deontological

Answer 12

Once we have worked out how to behave, then we should carry out our DUTY however we feel about it. reasons come before emotion

Question 13

fair universe

Answer 13

Kant believes that we live in a fair universe

Question 14

Summum Bonum

Answer 14

Because we live in a fair universe, there must be a sense of justice. There must be a reason why we feel a sense of duty to do good. The Summum Bonum or HIGHEST GOOD must be achievable.

Question 15

what does Kant think about the after life?

Answer 15

As doing good does not necessarily result in justice, then Kant POSULATES that there must be an afterlife where justice is worked out.

Question 16

STRENGTHS

Answer 16

~We can make unwise decisions when acting on emotion
~It is impossible to predict the consequences so it is good to act only out of duty – you have only ever ‘done the right thing’.
~It values all human beings as reasoning individuals like yourself. It is wrong to use people for your own ends

Question 17

WEEKNESS’S

Answer 17

~Consequences do matter – it is wrong to put a principle before a life
~Emotion is important – Kant’s duty based system can seem very cold and uncaring
~Kant’s whole theory is based on the idea of a fair universe. What if the universe isn’t fair and there is no Summum Bonum? Then we make sacrifices for no reason !