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Theology Paper 3 > Kantian Deontology > Flashcards

Kantian Deontology Flashcards

1
Q

3 Postulates

A

These are things that must exist in order for his theory to stand

  • Immortality of the Soul
  • Existence of God
  • Freedom
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2
Q

Immortality of the Soul

A

One cannot achieve perfection a single lifetime. the only way that one can therefore justify living a good life is that rewards will come in the afterlife

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3
Q

Existence of God

A

Existence of God is necessary for a just universe and to provide us with an afterlife.
This is not the same as saying that God exists, however

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4
Q

Freedom

A

Humans are autonomous moral agents and have the ability to make rational choices. Freedom is necessary for us to recognise and carry out our duties

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5
Q

Formulations of the Categorical Imperative

A
  • Universalisability Principle
  • Humans as ends in themselves
  • The principle of a Universal Kingdom of Ends
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6
Q

Universalisability Principle

A

We can discover moral absolutes by apply a certain action universally to every situation. If this action is justified in every situation, then it is our duty to do it. In this way, morality is derived from reason

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7
Q

Categorical Imperative

A

This is a universal law that must be obeyed. They are derived using the formulations of the categorical imperative

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8
Q

Duty

A

If you ‘ought’ to do it, this implies that you can do it and therefore doing it becomes your duty.
To have good will is to do one’s duty

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9
Q

Extreme Duty

A

Acting not only out of self-interest, but at cost to oneself and our own happiness

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10
Q

EG the Murderer analogy to imply duty over emotion

A

If a murderer comes to your house and asks if your friend was hiding there, then you have a duty to be honest, even if it means selling others out.
You cannot let your emotion cloud your morality

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11
Q

What does Kant mean by ‘humans are ends in themselves’?

A

Humans can achieve their own ends via reason and autonomy. This separates us from mere objects.
EG Mugs exist for coffee drinkers but humans exist for ourselves

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12
Q

What is the second formulation of the categorical imperative also referred to as?

A

Kant’s formula for humanity

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13
Q

Universal Kingdom of Ends

A

We are working towards a more impartial and fair society. Everyone in society desires the same common ends in humanity

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14
Q

Hypothetical imperatives

A

Refers to commands that have to be reached in order to achieve a certain aim (If I want X then I ought to do Y)

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15
Q

When is the Hypothetical Imperative used?

A

If the moral agent wants X but believes it to be impossible to achieve
EG the moral aim of eliminating poverty in Africa can be achieved by alleviating the huge debts of African countries

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16
Q

Summum Bonum

A

This is the highest form of good, which can only be achieved in the moral community. Kant felt that the implementation of his ethic would lead to this.
However, this could only be reached after death as the nature of the afterlife and unity with God is completely unknown

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17
Q

What is requires for the growth of the Summer Bonum?

A

1) Good (moral goodness/righteousness)

2) Well-being (contentment)

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18
Q

STRENGTH about autonomy

A

Humans become the authors of their own morality as they are morally autonomous

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19
Q

STRENGTH about impartiality

A

The idea that no humans should be treated as a means to an end promotes equality and impartiality

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20
Q

Falls to the CRITICISM that is present in all absolutist ethics

A

it is far too rigid and not adaptable to the complexities of life.
What are we to do when there is conflicting duties?
EG it does not take into account emotions which are an important factor in the human existence. Duty can even be guided by human sympathy

21
Q

CRITICISM about animals

A

Kant sees animals as inferior as they cannot reason. This means that they can be treated as means to an end

22
Q

Bernard Williams’ CRITICISM: Argument of Moral Luck

A

Kant ignores the circumstances of a moral action. An individual may think that they are doing good when they do X but due to the circumstances this is not the case.

23
Q

Philippa Foot’s CRITICISM: Law of double effect

A

Kant gives insufficient guidance in some situations. Should a terminally ill patient be administered painkillers to ease suffering if it means that they will die sooner? Equally, the harm in shortening life was prioritised, then should the patient be allowed to suffer in trade for a longer life?

24
Q

WD Ross’ Prima Facie theory

A

Exceptions should be made to Kant’s duties, which would be called ‘prima facie duties’. Ross was an intuitionist who believed that moral absolutes we’re known intuitively

25
Q

Prima Facie Duties (7)

A

1) Promise Keeping
2) Reparation for harm done
3) Gratitude
4) Justice
5) Beneficience (generosity)
6) Self-improvement
7) Non-Maleficence

26
Q

What 3 words describe the nature of thee categorical imperative?

A

Universal, unchanging, and absolute

27
Q

What is ‘good will’ according to Kant?

A

Good will is the only good free from self -interest

28
Q

What does ‘good will’ cause us to do?

A

It forces us to enact out duty by following the categorical imperative.
In acting out this duty we can achieve the summer bonum

29
Q

What is the nature of ethical statements?

A

They are synthetic a priori

30
Q

What does it mean for an ethical statement to be synthetic a priori?

A

They are deduced by reason but may be wrong and so they have to be tested

31
Q

Contradiction in will

A

Where the will of a person contradicts what the universalisation of the maxim implies

32
Q

Contradiction in conception

A

Where the maxim, when universalised, is no longer a viable means to an end

33
Q

What is the defining feature of a person for Kant?

A

Rationality

34
Q

Why does the foetus have the right not to be treated as a means to an end?

A

It has the potential to become a person

35
Q

Why does the woman not have the right to self-determination in abortion?

A

She cannot create her own laws, she must abide by the laws of nature. We have an extreme duty not to kill and thus abortion can never be fully permitted

36
Q

What kind of contradiction is abortion?

A

contradiction in conception

We cannot have the maxim ‘all babies should be aborted’ universalised as humanity would cease to exist

37
Q

Pregnancy from rape

A

NO
You cannot universalise the maxim that all babies conceived via rape should be aborted as those who have already been born would have to will themselves out of existence

38
Q

Foetus diagnosed with a disability

A

NO

You are using the foetus as a means to an end

39
Q

Mother’s life is in danger

A

The baby is not a potential person as if nature ran its course, it would not survive. This means that there will be no contradiction in will or conception to abort

40
Q

What are the 2 conditions in which Kant justifies war?

A

1) it must be authorised by the people

2) it should aim to establish a condition more closely approaching a rightful condition

41
Q

What are the 6 negative articles Kant gives to decrease the likelihood of war?

A

1) No temporary peace treaties
2) No annexation of one state by another
3) No professional armies
4) No authorisation of national debt to pay for war
5) No interference in the internal affairs of another state
6) No acts in war which breed mistrust and make peace impossible

42
Q

What are the 3 positive articles Kant gives to prevent war?

A

1) Every state should have a republican constitution
2) Each state shall participate in a league of nations
3) Cosmopolitan rights of universal hospitality

43
Q

How can self-defence be justified?

A

Kant universalises the maxim of preserving one’s life. This means that violence may be appropriate in self-defence

44
Q

Why is the discrimination of combatants and non-combatants important?

A

You would be using the non-combatants as a means to an end. Thus, no WMDs

45
Q

Why is Kant against conscription?

A

It undermines individual autonomy

46
Q

What outcomes justify war?

A
  • Bringing of justice and ‘perpetual peace’

- Original reasons for war are emphasised because of Kant’s focus on motivation and duty

47
Q

What are Orend’s 5 Kantian articles for ending the conflict?

A

1) whether the objective has been achieved
2) terms of peace declared by a legitimate authority
3) punishment is limited only to hose directly responsible for the conflict
4) winning party must submit to judgement
5) peace terms must be proportional to the original offence

48
Q

What is casuistry?

A

Taking moral issues one a case-by-case basis

Kant may be doing this in not universalising murder and justifying war

Theology Paper 3 (7 decks)

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