Kantian Ethics

Question 1

what are kants postulates?

Answer 1

freedom
human immortality
Gods existence

Question 2

Why did Kant put his postulates forward?

Answer 2

they need to occur in order for his method of morality to work

Question 3

what did Kant mean by freedom?

Answer 3

humans must be capable of exercising autonomy of the will. We must have the freedom to choose goodness for the sake of doing what is right otherwise moral action is not virtuous. Must be able to have responsibility.

Question 4

goodwill quote

Answer 4

goodwill shines fourth like a precious jewel

Question 5

what type of ethics is Kantian ethics and what does it mean

Answer 5

deontological - duty centred - absolute

Question 6

what did Kant mean by goodwill?

Answer 6

Goodwill has intrinsic value and is the conscious effort involved with making a moral choice and acting towards moral law. The goodwill lights the way when we act out duty and have pure motives. Will is within our control so is the only thing that cant be unconditionally good.

Question 7

what is the moral law for Kant?

Answer 7

the Categorical imperative

Question 8

what is a categorical imperative

Answer 8

a rule that is absolute. It should always be followed regardless of human and desire. It is of the most important and should be put above human need.

Question 9

What is a hypothetical imperative?

Answer 9

something you do to achieve something else

Question 10

what are the formulations of the categorical imperative.

Answer 10

Universalised - only act according to a maxim that you would will everyone else to do
treating humans as ends in themselves not a means
the kingdom of ends - abstract though experiment in which we imagine as their own end

Question 11

what does summum bonum mean

Answer 11

supreme good

Question 12

did kant believe in fixed moral laws?

Answer 12

yes

Question 13

how did kant think duty could be discovered

Answer 13

through human reason

Question 14

Is kants moral theory a prioi or a posteriori

Answer 14

a priori you idiot.

Question 15

weaknesses of Kantian ethics

Answer 15

• acting out of duty can have negative consequences, sometimes we need to consider consequences first.
• how do you act in conflicting maxims
• W.D Ross- prima facie duty - we have fixed moral laws we follow UNLESS there’s a maxim that is important
• disregards human emotion - we are emotional beings and sometimes this leads to better decision making - hume argues morality is founded on feelings of sympathy
• situations are unique so we shouldn’t follow absolute laws
• ## too idealistic to expect everyone to act in their duty all the time

Question 16

what is the summum bonum

Answer 16

The highest good or summum bonum is a state where happiness and virtue are united. This cannot be achieved in this life so there must be a life after death where we can achieve it so for Kant morality leads to the belief that God exists.

Question 17

strengths of Kantian ethics

Answer 17

Straightforward and based on reason. Clear outline of right and wrong and who to act morally.

Deontological - We cannot assume what is good for us is moral or good for others, it is Kant’s equivalent of the Golden Rule of Christian Ethics.

Applies to everyone so is fair. Morality is about duty not feelings or inclinations so impartial and objective.

See human life as having intrinsic worth and dignity; humans cannot be exploited. Protects minorities.

By focusing on motives and intent he produces a society of moral people that can flourish. Aristotle and concept of eudaimonia

It stops people from passivley going along with Straightforward and based on reason. Clear outline of right and wrong and who to act morally.

paul bloom a moral psychologist argued our sense of morality is distorted by feelings of emotion and better decision making is to be made without it