Kantian Deontological Ethics Flashcards

1
Q

What distinction does Kant make between practical reason and theoretical reason?

A

Theoretical reason is how we use reason in science; practical reason is how we use reason to make decisions about what to do.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are three of Kant’s fundamental ethical beliefs?

A
  • Each of us has a capacity to reason and can decide what is moral without relying on anyone else.
  • Morality is the promotion and preservation of individual and collective freedom.
  • Human beings can be rational and free, which is the basis of their unconditional worth.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the basic approach Kant takes in his ethical project?

A

Identifying the most fundamental principles presupposed in common morality using an a priori method of rational reflection.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the will

A

The will is the capacity to make non-impulsive decisions and to choose on the basis of law or
principles.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What does Kant mean by ‘good will’?

A

-A disposition to adopt and act on the right sorts of principles that are objective and valid for everyone.

-a good will is the only thing that is good without qualification

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is deontology in the context of Kantian ethics?

A

The study of morality understood in terms of duties; some actions are intrinsically right regardless of consequences.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the difference between acting in accordance with duty and acting from duty?

A

You are moral only if you act from or out of duty, intending that your action conforms to an objective principle.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What does Kant mean by autonomy in relation to moral law?

A

Each of us must give the laws to ourselves to ensure that our will is not determined by external forces.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the Categorical Imperative?

A

The supreme principle by which a good will is directed, commanding a course of action unconditionally.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What distinguishes hypothetical imperatives from categorical imperatives?

A

Hypothetical imperatives are conditional and based on desires, while categorical imperatives are unconditional and based on reason alone.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the first form of the Categorical Imperative?

A

The Formula of the Universal Law: Act only in accordance with that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it become a universal law.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What does a maxim represent in Kantian ethics?

A

A subjective practical principle held by an agent that describes the action as willed and indicates what the agent intends to do.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are the two tests to determine if a maxim can be willed as a universal law?

A
  • The contradiction in conception test.
  • The contradiction in will test.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What does the contradiction in conception test assess?

A

Whether your maxim can be acted upon and willed universally without contradiction.

I will promise but not keep my promise, everyone will promise but not keep their promises

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What does the contradiction in will test assess?

A

Whether the ends of a maxim are obligatory for rational beings, thus ensuring the ability to achieve certain ends.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the second form of the Categorical Imperative?

A

The Humanity Formula: Act in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never merely as a means, but always at the same time as an end.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What does treating humanity as an end in itself mean?

A

Respecting the capacity of individuals to set their own ends and not manipulating or coercing them.

18
Q

What is a universal law

A

A universal law (which Kant sometimes calls a ‘universal law of nature’) is an objective practical
principle that is valid for all rational agents wherever and whenever they live.

19
Q

Blank

A

Blank

20
Q

What does Kant mean by autonomy?

A

A special kind of freedom where individuals issue laws for all, independent of specific people.

21
Q

What are the Three Formulations of the Categorical Imperative?

A

Universal Law, Humanity, Kingdom of Ends.

22
Q

What is the main idea introduced in Kant’s Groundwork regarding the good will?

A

The good will is the only possible unconditioned good.

23
Q

What is the contradiction in conception test?

A

A test to determine if a maxim can be universalized without contradiction.

24
Q

True or False: According to Kant, consequences determine the moral value of an action.

A

False

25
Q

What is the first issue regarding kanthan ethics

A

Problems with applying the universal law formula

Some non-universalisable maxims may be good or morally neutral.

26
Q

Fill in the blank: Kant argues that a rational will can be motivated only by a(n) _______.

A

[unconditioned rational principle]

27
Q

What does Kant claim about maxims that can be universalized?

A

They may be permissible but not necessarily duties.

28
Q

What is the third issue regarding kanthan ethics

A

-The possible value of certain motives and commitments
-Only the motive of duty makes an action moral.
-one person does something out of love, one does it out of duty, out of duty is moral out of love is not

29
Q

What is the fourth issue regarding kanthan deontological ethics?

A

-clashing/competing duties
-Kant asserts that all duties are absolute, leading to potential conflicts.
-I promised to meet someone, but see a struggling boy, I can help the boy (breaking my promise) or not help (keeping my promise)

30
Q

What is the fifth issue regarding kanthan deontological ethics?

A

-Morality is a system of hypothetical imperatives
-Philippa Foot argues that moral rules are not categorical imperatives since they only apply if one has a moral purpose. She compares moral rules to rules of etiquette

31
Q

What is Kant’s stance on lying to save a life in the murderer at the door scenario?

A

Kant argues that lying is always wrong.

32
Q

What is the distinction between logical consequences and contingent consequences in Kant’s ethics?

A

Logical consequences must occur, while contingent consequences may or may not occur.

33
Q

What is the implication of Kant’s anti-consequentialist stance?

A

The moral value of actions should not depend on their consequences.

34
Q

What does Kant require for an action to be considered a duty?

A

Both the acceptance of the maxim must be universalizable, and its rejection must not be.

35
Q

What is the second issue regarding Kant’s deontological ethics

A

-That consequences determine moral value
-feels wrong to ignore consequences in situations like murder at the door
-Kant’s contradiction in conception test instructs us to think about the consequences of actions.( rebutle: only logical consequences, which have to occur, unlike contingent consequences

36
Q

What challenge does Kant face regarding the identification of the correct maxim of an action?

A

It is often difficult to determine what the correct maxim is for any given action.

37
Q

What is the potential problem with the maxim ‘I will sell others chocolate but not buy it’?

A

Its universalized form leads to a contradiction.

38
Q

What does Kant believe about moral agents and the moral point of view?

A

All humans occupy the moral point of view, and to be moral is to be rational.

39
Q

What is the issue with motives in personal relationships according to Kant?

A

Kant’s ethics prioritize duty over motives such as love or care.

40
Q

Fill in the blank: According to Kant, an action motivated by _______ is morally right.

A

[duty]