Kantian Deontology Flashcards
What does Immanuel Kant say about religion and morality?
They should be kept apart.
You should use reason and consideration of others to determine what is moral, not religion.
Why is Kant’s ethic deontological?
It is duty-based. Moral actions depend on doing the right action with the right intention, regardless of personal feeling, the situation or the consequences.
Explain the difference between rationalism and empiricism and where Kant stands.
Rationalism - can explain the world through reason, not experience.
Empiricism - our minds are informed by experience alone.
Kant rejects empiricism as our minds are pre-programmed before we experience things, however he is not a committed rationalist as we only know the world as it appears to us and there is a need for experience.
For Kant, what determines the goodwill of an act?
Having a good intention and the right motive - not what the act accomplishes (consequence) - determines a good action. This intention must be free of self-interest and independent of the situation and consequences.
What is an imperative?
Commands/instructions that tell us what to do.
What are hypothetical imperatives?
Conditional commands - you ought to do X if you want to get Y
What are categorical imperatives?
Unconditional commands - you ought to just do X
Why is the distinction between hypothetical and categorical imperatives important for Kantian ethics?
Kant believes and action can only be good if it is done unconditionally as it is simply our duty to do good
What are Kant’s 3 formulations that help us practice the Categorical Imperative?
Formulation 1 - the Universalizability Principle
Formulation 2 - the Humanity Formula
Formulation 3 - the Kingdom of ends Formula
Explain the Universalizability Principle + quote.
When we act we must consider whether everyone else could do the same thing in a similar situation. If not, our action is immoral. Everyone should be prepared to act on the same maxim (same rule or principle).
“Act only in accordance with that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it become a universal law.”
Explain the Humanity Formula + quote.
When we act humanity must be treated with dignity and should not be used for any reason. Rational beings should be respected as an end in themselves, not a means to and end. We should not exploit others to achieve something for ourselves, that would make our action immoral.
“Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never merely as a means to an end, but always at the same time as an end.”
Explain the Kingdom of ends Formula + quote.
We should act in a way that would create an ideal moral society (utopia). Human beings have autonomy and can be self-legislating, therefore we can achieve this society and our actions must reflect that capability in the hopes of making it a reality.
“Act according to the maxims of a member of a merely possible kingdom of ends, legislating in universalizability.”
