Kant's MORAL THEORY Flashcards
In Kant’s view, the __ of an action should not be determined by its __
morality;
outcome
Human persons do not have __ __ over the outcomes of their ___.
full control
actions.
If the morality of an action is to be based on its __ outcome, then morality becomes ___
intended;
conditional
The Kantian ethics is in opposition to the ___ __ _ ___ who conditioned the morality of their actions on its end or outcome.
moral theories of consequentialists
who conditioned the morality of their actions on its end or outcome.
Moral theories of consequentialists
Moral theories of consequentialists who conditioned the morality of their actions on its __ or ___
end or outcome.
Kant’s morality is governed by ___ ___, grounded in something that is unconditionally good, that is, good without ____.
practical reason;
qualification
does not merely refer to anything that the human person can think of as good.
Good
Good does not merely refer to anything that the __ ___ can think of as good
human person
There are many things that may appear good, but are not truly ___ __.
intrinsically good
Examples that may appear as good, but are not truly intrinsically good
Intelligence, wit, judgement, courage, persevance
Even ____ for Kant is not good at all if that happiness is not ___. Give examples:
intrinsically good
deserved
Example:
Infidelity, cheating
Kant point is that, if something is good without ___, that something is not merely good as ___ to an end and __ in another.
qualification
means
bad
Kant says: Kant, Fundamental Principles of Metaphysics of Morals
” Nothing can possibly be conceived in the world, or even out of it, which can be called good without qualification except a good will. “
” Nothing can possibly be conceived in the world, or even out of it, which can be called __ without qualification except a __ __
Good
Good will
The only thing that is unconditionally good is a ___ __
Good will
The moral worth then of an action is determined only by the __or the __ that is behind that __
motive
will
action.
All those __ that people think of as good become extremely __ if the __ to make use of them is bad
actions
worse
will
When can the human person claim that he/she definitely possesses a good will?
when the sole impetus of the human persons is that of moral obligation or moral duty
Motive behind moral act
Duty
The moral worth of an action is possible only when the human person acts for the sake of __, and not just because of the potential good results he/she may get out of her actions.
duty
Kantian ethics is often called ____, that is, duty-based
deontological
acting for the sake of the law, that is, with absolute respect to the moral law, which dictates what a rational being ought to do
Acting for the sake of duty
Acting for the sake of duty means acting for the sake of the __, that is, with absolute __ to the __ __, which dictates what a rational being ought to do
law
respect
moral law
means acting simply to conform to the law.
Acting in accordance
When the human person acts simply to __ to the law, the motive of her actions may be influenced by certain __ for an expected __
Conform
Desire
Outcome
Kant is __ saying that and action is done in accordance with duty is ___ because it still conforms to the law.
NOT
wrong
Kant is not saying that and action is done in accordance with duty is wrong because it still conforms to the law. However, it:
• it simply has no moral worth because it is motivated by inclination or desires
• The motive, therefore, of any moral action must be duty, not desires.
DUTY
TO BE HONEST
TO PRESERVES ONE’S LIFE IS A DUTY
TO BE BENEVOLENT IS A DUTY
TO BE HAPPY
TO LOVE
“DUTY IS THE NECESSITY OF AN ACTION FROM RESPECT FOR THE LAW”
Kant formulates the moral law based on the ___ ___ __ __ that apply to all human persons, irrespective of their desires or inclinations.
Principles of practical reasoning
Kant attaches the criteria of ___ ___ and __ __ to the moral law.
absolute necessity
strict universality
the moral law is absolutely __ and does _ accept any exception (
__), and at the same time, __ how human person ought to __ (___ )
binding
Not
Categorical
Directs
act
imperative
the moral law is absolutely binding and does not accept any exception (categorical), and at the same time, directs how human person ought to act (imperative )
Categorical Imperative
2 formulations of categorical imperative
a. “act only on that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law”
b. “So act as to treat humanity, whether in your own person or in that of another never as a means but always as an end.”
Principle on which the moral agent acts. It is the principle of action
Maxim
Maxim is the principle on which the __ __ acts. It is the principle of ___
moral agent
action
After the human person determines a principle of action or maxim, he/she must ask herself whether it is __ for everyone to act in accordance with that ___.
Possible
Maxim
Based on the principle of humanity
Maxim
dictates that rational beings must treat each other as __ in themselves and never as __ to some further ends.
Ends
means
dictates that rational beings must treat each other as ends in themselves and never as means to some further ends.
Categorical imperative
If we use another rational being as means to another end, then we have __ that rational being to a thing.
Reduced
Test for universalization of the Maxim
- Identify the action to be tested
- Test for universalizability: imagine the maxim were a universal law, is there a self-contradiction
- Conclude by articulating the duty.
Identify the action to be tested
• Formulate the maxim (personal rule: “When I…, I shall)
“When I need money, I shall borrow it from someone without intending to pay it back”
Test for universalizability:
• Suppose everyone were obligated to follow this maxim, as if it were a universal law:
“ Everyone ought to borrow money without intending to pay, when they need money”
No one will lend money, “who are you fooling, you ought not pay it back” : MONEY-LENDING LOSES ITS MEANING (self-contradictory)
Conclude by articulating the duty
Therefore, do not borrow money without intending to pay.
