Kant Flashcards
Deontology
From the Greek word for duty
Actions done from duty, for duty’s sake have a moral value/worth
Intention of action vs outcome of action
What is a categorical imperative?
Denotes an absolute, unconditional requirement that must be obeyed in all circumstances is justified as an end in itself.
What are the three components of categorical imperatives?
Universalisability
Respect for person - must treat people as an ends in themselves and not purely a means
Kingdom of ends - thought experiment
What is a hypothetical imperative?
Apply i one one who wishes to attain certain ends.
If I want to achieve X, I must do Y
What is moral law?
Kant nephews that we should not simply conform to the laws of the land when performing duties, but also to a higher authority ie God.
Moral law is a supremely authoritative standard that binds is and to experience a kind of feeling, which is akin to awe and fear, when we acknowledge the moral law as the source of moral requirements.
The force of moral requirements as reasons is that we cannot ignore them no matter how circumstances might conspire against any other consideration. Basic moral requirements retain their reason-giving force under any circumstance, they have universal validity.
Whatever else may be said of basic moral requirements their content is universal. Only a universal law could be the content of a requirement that has the reason giving force of morality.
What are perfect duties?
One which could become universal law.
What are imperfect duties?
‘Duties of virtue’.
They are technically duties to have to work toward certain ends eg others happiness or self improvement.
They should be done as and when one is inclined to do them - we are not morally required to perform them (eg not required to sacrifice our own happiness to make another person happy)
Why are key objections to deontology/Kant when applied to medicine?
Separation of intention and outcome: cannot always act with best intentions - where lives are concerned we must consider outcomes
Universalisability test: cannot make all decisions universalisable
Doing duty for duty’s sake: should act for the sake of the patient
