kantainan ethics Flashcards
what is in line with Kantian ethic
the consensual promises made by 2 people getting married, to commit to each other permanently and exclusively, are very much in line with kants ethics. they focus on the worth of the 2 human beings involved and encourage them to be attentive to each other as a means to an end, for pleasure or social convenience
would Kant agree with rape , sexual assault or forced marriage and why?
no any act that is not consensual would be prohibited. the human person is of the highest moral worth for Kant , and must be treated with dignity. therefor sex that objectifies a person and does not express the utmost consideration for them would be unethical because sexual relationships, like all relationships, must be based on equality.
maintain ethic view on homosexuality
traditional rules prohibited sex outside of marriage and homosexual sex however the maintain principle of treating every human person with dignity would require all sexual relationships, including homosexual relationships, to be treated equally. according to Kant our actions must be universalisable and these principles (mutuality, freely given consent, commitment and exclusivity) can be applied to all relationships irrespective of gender or whether the couple is married or not. universalising reproduction asa requirement of sex would, however, make homosexual sex unethical.
kants view on PS and ES
kant is concerned that human beings are not used, that they are always treated with dignity. PS and ES involve sexual relationships that are outside normative social rules.
if you believe social rules exist to protect the vulnerable, sex not governed by those rules is more risky for some; it opens up the possibility that the person with less power in the relationship will be abused. although PS and ES increase individual freedom it also increase the requirement for the individuals involved to conduct themselves ethically and take their moral duty towards others seriously, another central concern for Kant.
