Kantian Ethics Flashcards
When did Kant live?
1724 - 1804
Is it a deontological or teleological theory?
Deontological
Does the theory depend on religious belief?
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).
Kant quote: means to an end / end in themselves
‘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.
Kant quote: actions + universality
‘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?
Deontological
Ethics focused on the intrinsic rightness and wrongness of actions
Teleological
Looking to the end results (telos) in order to draw a conclusion about what is right or wrong
What is your duty?
Actions that are not done out of self-interest or inclination, e.g., helping someone out because you feel bad for them.
What did Kant think about emotions?
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
Absolute morality
When universal standards of right and wrong apply to all people at all times, irrespective of their culture or beliefs
How do the views of Kant differ from the views of Fletcher?
Kant = don’t use emotions, we have to be rational / Fletcher = break rules for the sake of love
What does Kant believe about universal laws
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.
Hypothetical imperative
A moral obligation that applies only if one desires the implied goal
Categorical imperative
An unconditional moral obligation that is always binding irrespective of a person’s inclination or purpose
Kant’s view on the hypothetical imperative
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).
Kant’s view on the categorical imperative
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)
What did Kant believe about lying?
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).
What are the 3 formulations proposed by Kant to find out if something is a categorical imperative or a hypothetical imperative?
- universal law
- person as ends
- kingdom of ends
What must the categorical imperative be in-keeping with?
The universal law - would it work if it was applied to a universal scale?
Person as ends
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)
Kingdom of ends
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.
What is the foundation of Kant’s morality?
The 3 Postulates
What are the 3 Postulates?
- Free will
- There is an afterlife / we are immortal
- God exists
The 3 Postulates - overview
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.
