Kant

Question 1

What type of ethical theory is this?

Answer 1

Deontological

Question 2

What part of the word deontological means duty?

Answer 2

Deon

Question 3

What is an imperative?

Answer 3

A maxim, rule or command

Question 4

Why can’t a hypothetical theory be used as a moral command?

Answer 4

Because you don’t have to follow a hypothetical imperative, they aren’t an absolute rule and they can’t be universalised

Question 5

What part of the hypothetical imperative shows that you don’t have to follow it?

Answer 5

If you want x then you must do y, if you do not want x then you don’t have to do y

Question 6

Categorical imperative part 1

Answer 6

‘Act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law’
This is Kant’s general, fundamental principle
This is a direct rejection of relativism and consequentialism. Principles of rationality and universality underpin this statement.

Question 7

Categorical imperative part 2

Answer 7

Act that you treat humanity both in your own person and in the person of every other being, never merely as a means but always as an end
This is the practical imperative. Means to an mend doctrine is firmly rejected and all teleological approaches to it. The implication is that people have intrinsic value and not instrumental value so people should not be exploited

Question 8

Categorical imperative part 3

Answer 8

Act as if you were through your maxim a law making member of a kingdom of ends
Implying the role which individuals have in society and the community.

Question 9

What helps a human make the correct moral decision?

Answer 9

Using their reason

Question 10

What happens when you use your reason to make a moral decision?

Answer 10

They will come to a rational outcome or conclusion

Question 11

What is the only moral thing in the universe?

Answer 11

Good will

Question 12

What is Kant’s basic theory of humans?

Answer 12

Dualistic- phenomenal and noumenal
Phenomenal- instinctive, animalistic self concerned with the physical
Noumenal- rational, higher self

Question 13

What is moral law?

Answer 13

Universal and applicable to everyone
Must contain something which is universally and unconditionally good.
The good in itself or highest good

Question 14

What is duty?

Answer 14

A basic moral principle, defining morality and locates moral quality
Unconditional and not subject to external qualifications
Doing what is right because it is right
Duty for duty’s sake
At the centre of Kant’s theory

Question 15

Why does Kant dismiss his three examples and what are they?

Answer 15

Talents of the mind
Qualities of character
Gifts of fortune

They cannot be the highest good because they could all be used to do bad e.g. Hitler had the talent of intelligence and killed millions

Question 16

What did Kant think about consequences?

Answer 16

They are not relevant because the action could be immoral and lead to a good outcome. He focused on the action only

Question 17

Grocer example

Answer 17

The grocer should charge a fair price because it is the right thing to do not because it will bring him profit and not because he is, by nature, a good person. Duty has to be totally unattached from moral inclination

Question 18

Give example of a moral law

Answer 18

Do not murder

Question 19

Name one of Kant’s works

Answer 19

The Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals 1785

Question 20

In what period was his theory developed?

Answer 20

The enlightenment

Question 21

Strengths of Kant applied to medical research and development

Answer 21

• Part 2 of Categorical imperative- intrinsic value of human life is important- embryo research- finding cures for people with genetic conditions is placing value on their lives, embryos not yet humans if they are not sentient beings?
• part 1 of the cat.imp. sets out a clear system to follow- in reproductive cloning it clearly condemns it because it is clearly immoral so cannot be universal moral law because it could lead to eugenics. It is not subjective or confusing
• takes into account intentions and motives of an action e,g. Animal experimentation would stop experiments purely for monetary gain or only scientific knowledge for themselves e.g. Trout for cancer drugs. Animals would be exploited with good reason and in a controlled way with reduced pain
• using reason allows a rational outcome and the ability to make autonomous decisions for themselves. Medical trials on humans- they can consent as volunteers as they are following a higher moral duty to choose others over not exploiting themselves as a means to an end, both of which they have a duty to follow

Question 22

Weaknesses of Kant when applied to medical research and development

Answer 22

• part 2 doesn’t make clear what constitutes a human being- different views of when life begins, conception or birth so is confusing in embryo research
• part 1 ignores the consequences of actions and nothing can be universalised if you consider the, e.g. Abortion is the most loving thing to do sometimes because of the positive consequences yet Kant would condemn it because do not murder is a universal moral law
• conflicting duties arise makes decisions difficult e.g. Hiding A Jews from Nazis, save them or confess to the Nazis to fellow their laws
• inflexible system as it discounts emotions in different situations because absolute rules are applied to all situations. E.g. Therapeutic cloning it is our duty to protect the life of the embryo as being a means to an end, then we disregard the emotions and suffering of the families whose last hope is a saviour sibling for their child

Question 23

What are perfect duties?

Answer 23

Perfect duty: actions that we should refrain from carrying out, with no exceptions
Imperfect duty: actions that should be performed if they don’t conflict with our perfect duties

Perfect: contradictions in the law of nature
Suicide- duty to oneself. If it was ‘right’, the law to not take a life would be contradicted & there’d be no human race.
Making false promises- duty to others. There would be no trust in society if this was a moral action.
Imperfect: contradictions in the will- depends on the situation
Using talents- should do these unless it has negative effects, e.g. pain of another individual.
Helping others: not perfect as we may otherwise help people who misuse our help

Question 24

What are higher moral duties?

Answer 24

Higher moral duties are those which should take precedence over others in the event of conflicting duties, as they are more valuable in themselves. To decide, the consequence of the action may need to be considered, e.g. lying to save the Jews during WW1

Question 25

What did Kant say about Good Will?

Answer 25

The only universally good thing
“it is impossible to conceive anything in the world, or even out of it, which can be taken as good without limitation, save only a good will”

Question 26

What did Kant aim for?

Answer 26

A universal system of morality applicable to all people at all times based on absolute laws like the laws of nature.

Question 27

Kant on conscience

Answer 27

All men have a moral sense through their conscience. Moral consciousness exists in every man therefore everyone recognises moral law
Apparent to Kant that conscience is not reliable and no ethics can be relative. Moral worth lies in obedience to a particular set of rules, regardless of inclinations, self interest, situations, utility or consequences

Question 28

Role of consequences for Kant

Answer 28

Doesn’t dismiss them entirely
Considered when applying moral rules but not in order to establish moral rules.
Ethics means doing ones duty which is to conform to moral law, irrespective of what the outcome might be

Question 29

What is the importance of motives?

Answer 29

Commands or rules must be used in light of what the motives are e.g. borrowing money and intending not to pay it back is making a false promise. False promising could not be universalised because nobody would be able to make promises anymore.