Kantian Ethics Flashcards
What did Kant believe and what is this called?
Kant believed that every person is free to reason how they ought to behave in a situation. This is called ‘The Moral Law within’.
What is our motive (reason) for any moral action?
Our motive (reason) for any moral action should be our good will (not out of any emotion - e.g. kindness, guilt, greed, etc).
What does rationality help us to do?
Rationality frees us up to be able to act independently of instinct or desire for pleasure.
When we act what must we do and what are we free to do? (2)
- When we act we must think of what it means for those human beings affected and their future interests.
- We are free to pursue the summum bonum (where we do good and it brings happiness for all).
What can we not do when we act?
We cannot use people for some good if it sacrifices their own interests.
What is summum bonum?
The supreme good where we do good and it brings happiness for all.
What is our duty and why do we do our duty?
It is our duty to put our good will into action. We do our duty because it is our duty (duty for duty’s sake).
What are the three postulates of morality?
- Freedom (have to be free to do our duty)
- Immortality (must postulate immortality of the soul to allow for the correct happiness to be ensured beyond this life).
- God (God ensured that in the end the world was arranged correctly t9 ensure the highest good in the end).
Describe freedom (the first postulate of morality).
We have to want to choose the moral law over our instinct or desire. Moral choices are only possible if people are free to make them. We have to be free to do our duty.
Describe immortality (the 2nd postulate of morality).
In our world good people, doing their duty may not find ultimate happiness in this world and might meet an unhappy end. So, we must postulate immortality of the soul to allow for the correct happinesses to be ensured beyond this life.
Describe the third postulate of mortality (God).
Kant’s belief in immortality and heavenly situation would ensure that ultimate happinesses are distributed appropriately in accordance with the moral acts that people have undertaken. God ensured that in the end the world was arranged correctly to ensure the highest good in the end.
Describe the hypothetical imperative.
The hypothetical imperative is almost like Kant’s first draft. If you want to achieve X, then you must do Y. In this statement, X is the most important thing. X is the outcome. How we achieve X (Y) is not so important.
What is a problem with the hypothetical imperative?
Our motives or our actions may be immoral as we just focus on the outcome. Kant saw the flaws in this as the hypothetical imperative was teleological.
What are four strengths of kantian ethics?
- Duty is a good thing/motivation because we don’t give preferential treatment to loved ones.
- Will not go out of date- works for all times.
- Shows respect for human life and treats everyone fairly.
- Don’t need to be religious to understand it.
