Kant: The Categorical Imperative

Question 1

• Our will is not always “pure.”
• Other determining principle of actions = inclinations or desires.
• Good will is good without qualification.
• Happiness is not the highest good.
  
  • Being worthy of being happy is better than being happy.

Answer 1

The good will.

Question 2

The good will is also known as…

Answer 2

Rational will.

Question 3

To have a good will means to act from the motive of ___.

Answer 3

Duty.

Question 4

Hypothetical imperatives (conditional obligations).

Answer 4

Say what we ought to be done to achieve some desired end or goal: “if you want goal y, you should do x.”

Question 5

Categorical imperatives (unconditional obligations).

Answer 5

Say what ought to be done as obligatory in itself, regardless of ends/goals that we may or may not have.

Question 6

• You do not necessity oblige everyone. you only ought to do x if you want, and if you don’t, it doesn’t apply to you.
• Action good only as means to something else.
• Imperatives of skill and prudence.

Answer 6

Hypothetical imperatives (conditional obligations).

Question 7

• These oblige everyone; you must do x, regardless if your goals.
• Action good in itself.
• Must be based on reason.

Answer 7

Categorical imperatives (unconditional obligations).

Question 8

The Good Will

Answer 8

A disposition to guide our actions according to moral obligations, even against desires, interests, intending to do what the moral law says, even if it doesn’t work out as planned — it’s not because of what it accomplishes that the good will is good.

Question 9

What is the main difference between utilitarianism and Kantian ethics?

Answer 9

What makes actions right or wrong is the motivation behind them.

Question 10

Maxim

Answer 10

The principle or rule you are following when you intend to do an action — that which truly describes your intention and your reason for it, and is formulated as a rule.