kantian ethics

Question 1

what type of approach is Kantian ethics?

Answer 1

deontological

Question 2

what is at the core of wants beliefs?

Answer 2

humans seek an ultimate end- the supreme good “summon bonus” virtue and happiness are united

Question 3

what is duty?

Answer 3

acting moral according to the good regardless of consequences

Question 4

why should be do our duty?

Answer 4

because its our duty to do it, obligations that must be fulfilled

Question 5

are all duties equal?

Answer 5

not all duties are created equally, some are conditional and some are absolute

Question 6

is it our duty to do something we are unable to do?

Answer 6

NO, the fact we ought to do something implies that it is possible to do

Question 7

what is the only thing for Kant that is totally and completely good?

Answer 7

goodwill

Question 8

good will quote?

Answer 8

‘good will is the only ‘good’ that cannot be used for a bad purpose’

Question 9

what determines the morality of an act?

Answer 9

the outcome

Question 10

what does Kant say about intentions?

Answer 10

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

Question 11

are emotions good or bad?

Answer 11

bad

Question 12

do we do duty for reward?

Answer 12

NO

Question 13

Kant did believe there was a reward for doing ones duty and see this by looking at what?

Answer 13

the three postulates

Question 14

what are the three postulates?

Answer 14

freedom
immortality
god

Question 15

what is a postulate?

Answer 15

a necessary assumption especially as a basis of an argument

Question 16

how can we postulate our freedom?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

how can we postulate immortality?

Answer 17

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

Question 18

how can we postulate the existence of god?

Answer 18

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

Question 19

why do the three postulates exist?

Answer 19

they cannot be proved, merely that they must be assumed practically in order for morality to exist

Question 20

what is the hypothetical imperative?

Answer 20

a command to act to achieve a desired result

Question 21

what is an imperative?

Answer 21

something that must be done

Question 22

what are the two types of imperatives?

Answer 22

hypothetical and categorical

Question 23

what is the categorical imperative?

Answer 23

are things which should be done without condition

Question 24

what type of commands are hypothetical imperatives?

Answer 24

‘if….then’

Question 25

are hypothetical absolute or relative?

Answer 25

relative

Question 26

are hypothetical imperative a moral duty ?

Answer 26

NO

Question 27

are categorical imperatives absolute or relative

Answer 27

absolute

Question 28

there are some moral commands we must obey what are they?

Answer 28

telling truth

Question 29

what does the CI help us know?

Answer 29

which actions are obligatory and which are forbidden, tells us what we ought to do

Question 30

what are maxims

Answer 30

general rules with which we intend to act

Question 31

what are the 3 formulations?

Answer 31

1) principle of universality
2) treat people as ends in themselves
3) act as if you live in the kingdom of ends

Question 32

why were the 3 formulations created?

Answer 32

to help us work out whether or not a maxim can be universalised, it says what is right/wrong in one case is right wrong in all cases

Question 33

what must we ask ourselves to know whether an action is right?

Answer 33

can this action be universalised without leading to contradiction

Question 34

there are two types of contradiction what are they?

Answer 34

contradiction in conception (of nature)

contradiction in volition (of the will)

Question 35

what is contradiction of nature?

Answer 35

the maxim contradicts itself or an existing law of nature

Question 36

what is contraction of the will?

Answer 36

the maxim can be logically applied, but as a rational human being it makes no sence to

Question 37

an example of contradiction?

Answer 37

a man needs a loan for medical treatment knowing he cannot pay it back

Question 38

what would Kant say to the example of the loan?

Answer 38

he should not take the loan as he is making a promise to pay it back while intending to break his promise, if this action were to be universalised then every person would make promises with the intention of breaking them (contradiction of will)

Question 39

what were the three other examples that Kant gave for contradictions?

Answer 39

Suicide
wasting talents
Refusing aid

Question 40

Kant recognised that the idea of universalisability was similar to what rule of christianity?

Answer 40

the golden rule “treat others how you wish to be treated”

Question 41

quote for formula of treating people as ends in themselves?

Answer 41

“act as that you treat, humans, whether in your own person or in that of another, always as an end and never as a means only”

Question 42

what does the formulation as ends in themselves require us to do?

Answer 42

never treat people as means to an end
don’t use people
do onto others as you would do onto you

Question 43

quote for ‘formula of the kingdom of ends’ ?

Answer 43

act as if (you are) a legislating member in the universal kingdom of ends

Question 44

what are the rules for kingdom of ends?

Answer 44

its a culmination of the two previous formulations
we must see every person as an end
we must have respect for persons and act as if we were making rules for all society