Kant Moral Philosophy Official Definitions

Question 1

Deontology

Answer 1

Actions are right or wrong in themselves, not depending on their consequences. We have moral duties (deon) to do things which it is right to do and moral duties not to do things which it is wrong to do.

Question 2

Good Will

Answer 2

The intention to do the right action for its own sake, without any other motivation. It is the only thing that is morally good without qualification.

Question 3

Acting in accordance with duty

Answer 3

Doing the right action, for a reason other than it being the right action.

Question 4

Acting out of duty

Answer 4

Doing the right action with a Good Will, for the sole reason that it is your duty.

Question 5

Hypothetical Imperative

Answer 5

An imperative is a command or order. A hypothetical imperative is a statement about what you ought to do, on the assumption of some desire or goal, e.g. if you want to pass your exam you ought to study hard.

Question 6

Categorical Imperative

Answer 6

Absolute commands we are obliged to follow in all circumstances are categorical and only these imperatives are moral. As rational agents we can work out the categorical imperative by asking whether the maxim that lies behind our action is universalisable and treats people as ends in themselves.

Question 7

First Formulation of the Categorical Imperative

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Second formulation of the Categorical Imperative

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Contradiction in conception

Answer 9

is when willing that everyone acted on a maxim would be somehow illogical or self-contradictory. If a maxim fails the contradiction in conception, its negation becomes a perfect duty.

Question 10

Contradiction in will

Answer 10

is when willing a certain maxim would be contradictory not because it leads to a logical contradiction but because it leads to something it would not be rational to want. If a maxim fails the contradiction in will, its negation becomes an imperfect duty.

Question 11

Perfect duty

Answer 11

is one which one must always do e.g. do not lie, do not steal.