kantian ethics Flashcards
what type of approach is Kantian ethics?
deontological
what is at the core of wants beliefs?
humans seek an ultimate end- the supreme good “summon bonus” virtue and happiness are united
what is duty?
acting moral according to the good regardless of consequences
why should be do our duty?
because its our duty to do it, obligations that must be fulfilled
are all duties equal?
not all duties are created equally, some are conditional and some are absolute
is it our duty to do something we are unable to do?
NO, the fact we ought to do something implies that it is possible to do
what is the only thing for Kant that is totally and completely good?
goodwill
good will quote?
‘good will is the only ‘good’ that cannot be used for a bad purpose’
what determines the morality of an act?
the outcome
what does Kant say about intentions?
if you do something with bad intentions but its has a good outcome, it’s sill wrong. IT IS THE INTENTION NOT THE OUTCOME THAT MATTERS
are emotions good or bad?
bad
do we do duty for reward?
NO
Kant did believe there was a reward for doing ones duty and see this by looking at what?
the three postulates
what are the three postulates?
freedom
immortality
god
what is a postulate?
a necessary assumption especially as a basis of an argument
how can we postulate our freedom?
we are aware of having to make moral decisions and if we were not free to make that decisions there would be no decision to make and we would not be morally responsible
how can we postulate immortality?
where the summon bonus is achieved. morality requires this to be achievable, this is where perfect virtue is rewarded with perfect happiness. this does not happen in this life so must occur in the next life
how can we postulate the existence of god?
because despite being inclined towards good and doing ones duty, this does not always lead to happiness in the world. in order that the summon bonus actually occurs and goodness is rewarded by happiness, there must be a god who ensures the justice of the universe
why do the three postulates exist?
they cannot be proved, merely that they must be assumed practically in order for morality to exist
what is the hypothetical imperative?
a command to act to achieve a desired result
what is an imperative?
something that must be done
what are the two types of imperatives?
hypothetical and categorical
what is the categorical imperative?
are things which should be done without condition
what type of commands are hypothetical imperatives?
‘if….then’