Kantian Ethics

Question 1

When did Kant live?

Answer 1

1724 - 1804

Question 2

Is it a deontological or teleological theory?

Answer 2

Deontological

Question 3

Does the theory depend on religious belief?

Answer 3

No. Kant does involve God, but uses him as more of an idea (you don’t need to prove God exists in order to accept his ethics).

Question 4

Kant quote: means to an end / end in themselves

Answer 4

‘Every man must be respected as an absolute end in himself.’ - You can’t use people to get what you want (means to an end) + every human has value and worth.

Question 5

Kant quote: actions + universality

Answer 5

‘Live your life as though every act were to become a universal law.’ - if everyone did what you have just done, would the world be a good place?

Question 6

Deontological

Answer 6

Ethics focused on the intrinsic rightness and wrongness of actions

Question 7

Teleological

Answer 7

Looking to the end results (telos) in order to draw a conclusion about what is right or wrong

Question 8

What is your duty?

Answer 8

Actions that are not done out of self-interest or inclination, e.g., helping someone out because you feel bad for them.

Question 9

What did Kant think about emotions?

Answer 9

Kant viewed your emotions as irrelevant in situations; this is because you have no control over them and they’re biased. Considering emotions makes it cloudy - duty is rationally worked out

Question 10

Absolute morality

Answer 10

When universal standards of right and wrong apply to all people at all times, irrespective of their culture or beliefs

Question 11

How do the views of Kant differ from the views of Fletcher?

Answer 11

Kant = don’t use emotions, we have to be rational / Fletcher = break rules for the sake of love

Question 12

What does Kant believe about universal laws

Answer 12

Kant argued that anything could be happening, but do not break the rules. Everything you do must be a universal law - it’s not about the situation, it’s about having moral duties as a result.

Question 13

Hypothetical imperative

Answer 13

A moral obligation that applies only if one desires the implied goal

Question 14

Categorical imperative

Answer 14

An unconditional moral obligation that is always binding irrespective of a person’s inclination or purpose

Question 15

Kant’s view on the hypothetical imperative

Answer 15

Kant dismisses it, because it is not universal - it is conditional. Based on ‘if’. Goes completely against his absolutist theory and idea of duty. The hypothetical imperative is acting in a way, because it is dependent on the circumstances (e.g., if I feel sorry for him, I will help him).

Question 16

Kant’s view on the categorical imperative

Answer 16

It is not outcome-based, but there is something unconditional in the mind that causes a particular action. These are commands that have to be followed - it doesn’t matter what your heart is telling you to do or what seems right. You are supposed to know the categorical imperative innately. Kant said that we have a duty and know what we should / should not do. He believed that we should ask if everyone followed it, would the world be a good place? Kant gave a couple of examples, including that we can’t commit suicide or neglect talent. (We also shouldn’t lie etc)

Question 17

What did Kant believe about lying?

Answer 17

That you shouldn’t ever lie no matter the circumstances (example of axeman - even if they ask where a victim is to kill them, you should never lie, because what if that was to become a universal law?, lying should not become a universal law - therefore, don’t lie).

Question 18

What are the 3 formulations proposed by Kant to find out if something is a categorical imperative or a hypothetical imperative?

Answer 18

• universal law
• person as ends
• kingdom of ends

Question 19

What must the categorical imperative be in-keeping with?

Answer 19

The universal law - would it work if it was applied to a universal scale?

Question 20

Person as ends

Answer 20

Idea that people are rational and autonomous. We should treat people as people and not objects. No one should be treated as a means to an end, but as an end in themselves. (e.g., you shouldn’t date someone to make an ex jealous - that would be using the person as a means to an end + as an object to achieve something)

Question 21

Kingdom of ends

Answer 21

You should act on how society ought to be, rather than how it is. Kant doesn’t care that we don’t live in a perfect world - when you are making a decision, you should act as if it is a perfect world. The current ‘conditions’ are irrelevant to Kant in moral decision-making. Kantian ethics is a strict, absolutist moral theory, about establishing universal moral rules and duties, regardless of context and circumstances.

Question 22

What is the foundation of Kant’s morality?

Answer 22

The 3 Postulates

Question 23

What are the 3 Postulates?

Answer 23

• Free will
• There is an afterlife / we are immortal
• God exists

Question 24

The 3 Postulates - overview

Answer 24

These are 3 things that we just have to accept and keep in our minds when following Kant’s code of ethics and his theory. They are not proven. They are free will, that there is an afterlife and that God exists. These are the foundations of morality and are practicalities in order for morality to exist.

Question 25

The 3 Postulates: Free will

Answer 25

We have to assume this so that we have moral responsibility. That way, if we don’t do our duty, we can be held accountable for it. Free will means we can punish people etc.

Question 26

The 3 Postulates: there is an afterlife / we are immortal

Answer 26

Idea of the Summum Bonum (the highest good). Kant is saying what the point of all this morality is on a bigger scale. There is a highest good where virtue is rewarded by perfect happiness (although, the theory literally says it is not about wanting a reward, so the idea of a Summum Bonum can be criticised!). We need to have a reward for our behaviour in the afterlife.

Question 27

The 3 Postulates: God exists

Answer 27

This is because God needs to ensure justice of the universe. It’s not our concern what the consequences are, but God is concerned with it. If there is no God/judge, then it doesn’t work - it would be an unfair world.

Question 28

Summum bonum

Answer 28

The highest, most supreme good

Question 29

Overview of strengths

Answer 29

• universal = clarity
• non-biased (emotionless)
• respects intrinsic value of people
• not religious

Question 30

Overview of weaknesses

Answer 30

• based on a perfect world, our world = imperfect
• outcomes matter
• human life = complex, can’t have clear-cut ideas the whole time
• no situation is the same = is this practical?
• emotions fundamental to life
• conflicting duties
• outdated
• non-religious, can it be accepted universally?

Question 31

Strength: universal = clarity

Answer 31

This is a universal, moral theory which is clear and fixed, so is therefore not subjective. It ensures consistency and clarity, like the UDHR.

Question 32

Strength: non-biased (emotionless)

Answer 32

As there is no emotion involved, it’s impartial and free from bias. This makes it very clear and consistent.

Question 33

Strength: respects intrinsic value of people

Answer 33

It respects the intrinsic value of people through the idea of people being used as an end in themselves and not as a means to an end. You cannot exploit people for your own gain - everyone is autonomous.

Question 34

Strength: not religious

Answer 34

It is a secular theory, despite having God in it. Kant does involve God, but uses him as more of an idea and a way for the human mind to understand things.

Question 35

Weakness: based on a perfect world, our world = imperfect

Answer 35

The theory is based on the idea of a perfect world, but we are not in one. It can be said that, because the theory is based on a perfect world, it is too abstract and theoretical.

Question 36

Weakness: outcomes matter

Answer 36

As we are not in a perfect world, the outcomes to our actions do matter and can have negative effects. It can be said, therefore, that we should care more about the consequences, rather than taking a strict deontological approach.

Question 37

Weakness: human life = complex, we can’t have clear-cut ideas the whole time

Answer 37

This world is not perfect and so the theory can be regarded as too theoretical. It is not clear-cut in this world and therefore, there are different things that we need to do in different situations, because of the complexity of human life.

Question 38

Weakness: no situation is the same - is this practical?

Answer 38

In reality, does this theory actually work? Would it really be practical given that no person or situation is the same and can we really make everything we do a universal law?

Question 39

Weakness: emotions are fundamental to life

Answer 39

Emotions are a part of human life and we need to consider them - this isn’t a perfect world.

Question 40

Weakness: conflicting duties

Answer 40

What about conflicting duties? Which is more important? E.g., the Nazis thought they were doing the right thing - anyone can get around the 3 forms of the categorical imperative (universality, end in themselves, kingdom of ends).

Question 41

Weakness: outdated

Answer 41

Not practical in the modern world, as some of Kant’s views are outdated.

Question 42

Weakness: non-religious, can it be accepted universally?

Answer 42

Would religious people find it acceptable? Would it actually work on a universal level?