Kantian Ethics

Question 1

kantian ethics

Answer 1

religion/ethics have no relation/effect on ethics. in order to determine what is right you have to use reason. moral rules are the same whether you are christian or buddhist (similarly 2+2 will always equal 4)

Question 2

categorical imperative vs hypothetical imperatives

Answer 2

with a hypothetical imperative if you desire something, you must do _ (if you want to steal lots of money, then rob a bank) you can always chose not to do something
categorical imperatives are things that you must follow regardless of your desires. they work as our moral obligations (come from pure reason)

Question 3

categorical imperative (universal law formulation)

Answer 3

acting on maxim (rules/principles) allows it to become a universal law (something everybody does based on that rule
ex. while stealing is wrong making an exception for yourself means everyone can steal (but you cannot will everyone to steal)

Question 4

categorical imperative (end in itself formulation)

Answer 4

act in a way that you treat humanity as an end (respect for that person and their goals) never merely as a means (treating them a certain way in order to achieve your own goals)
recognize the humanity of a person (essentially means don’t use people for your own benefit)

Question 5

objections

Answer 5

can we always determine maxims for actions? does morality never condone using someone as a mere means?

Question 6

kantian ethics vs utilitarianism

Answer 6

kantian ethics says an action is morally good if it determined through pure reason
utilitarism says that an action is right if it produces the best consequences

Question 7

kantian ethics vs virtue ethics

Answer 7

kantian ethics says that a good person has to have good will
virtue ethics says that a good person must have good character (inclined to do good things)