Kant's Moral Argument Flashcards
What was Kant’s postulate of pure reason?
To explain morality we need to say that God exists.
What did Kant want to know in his MA?
How God fits into the system of morality if we are our own personal, rational and automonous duty?
Kant said it was “morally necessary to…
assume God’s existence.”
Kant rejected any arguments to prove God’s existence because…
he is “morally necessary to assume God’s existence.”
Kant’s moral argument followed on from…
“duty is knowable through reason.”
The Summum Bonum is achievable because God made it so. However, sometimes you can’t achieve it, but why?
Because of corruption in the world and our lives. This is why we postulate God’s existence.
What is a weakness of the idea of the Summim Bonum being achievable?
Life isn’t like a film, goodness doesn’t always win.
Just because we OUGHT to aim for the SB…
does that mean we CAN?
Kant said that as long as we aim towards the SB…
that is good enough.
What are some of the weaknesses/confusions of Kant’s moral argument?
Not clear
Kant originally said it was impossible to prove God’s existence through reason, but then said moral reasoning leads to God’s existence.
If we all aim towards the SB, are we automonous?
Who was Freud and what were his dates?
Sigmund Freud, neurologist. Mainly a psychologist. (1856-1939)
What did Freud challenge?
Kant’s postulate of pure reason as he said although the Summun Bonum is achieveable, it doesn’t prove God exists.
What did Freud say about mental life?
That it is dominated by the subconscious.
How is the subconscious revealed to us? (Freud)
Through dreams and neuroses (life dilemmas)
How did Freud split the mind?
Into the ID (human instincts like desire and appetite), the SUPEREGO (form of reasoning ability that is shaped by our parents) and the EGO (shaped by external life experiences like traumas)
