kantian ethics Flashcards
what is Immanuel Kant known for
his discussion of the categorical imperative
what type of theory is it
deontologist, objective
what does he believe
that there were certain things one always had a duty to do, irrespective of the consequences of them
how does he describe the duty
an action good is when you do your duty, the motive is what makes an action good, consequences are unimportant, certain acts are always right or wrong
what do deontological thinkers believe
that we should decide whether an action is right or wrong without considering its consequences
what is moral law
binding moral obligations
what is a maxim
another word for moral rules, determined by reason
what is duty
duties are created by the moral law, to follow it is our duty
what is summum bonus
the highest, most supreme good
what is good will
a person of good will is a person who makes decisions according to the moral law
what is categorical imperative
an unconditional moral obligation that is always binding irrespective of a persons inclination or purpose
what is hypothetical imperative
a moral obligation that applies only if one desires the implied goal - not a moral imperative
what is the kingdom of ends
an imagined future in which all people act in accordance to the moral law, the categorical imperative
what did kant say about where we get our morals from
‘two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing admiration and awe…the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me’
what does kant say human sense of morality is
impressive - away from animals
what is universal maxim
fixed rules that must always apply
what is a posteriori
that which can known to be true only through sense experience
what is synthetic
knowledge requiring empirical tests such as observations and experiments
what is a priori knowledge
that which is knowledgable without reference to sense experience
what is analytic
the predicates say something true about the subjects
what is deontological ethics
any ethical theory which argues that the rightness of an act lies in doing the right thing because it is the right thing in itself
what are three of kants dos
your duty as it is the highest good
perform actions that are morally required
actions that can be universalised
what are three of kants donts
lie
act out of self-interest
follow utilitarianism
what do humans seek
an ultimate end or the “summum bonum” which is a state in which human virtue and happiness are united
can we reach summum bonum in one lifetime
no
why should you act on duty alone
you can act on emotions which allows it to be personalistic
youre nurtured to believe in a specific way and so its personal to you
simple and objective so everyone can follow it
why shouldn’t you act on duty alone
emotions can be wrong and radical
people are nurtured to believe in a different way and peoples conscience are different and right or wrong may be different
what is the hypothetical theory
hypothetical imperatives are ones that tell you what to do if you want to achieve something
this is an if statement and therefore it is conditional
only applied prescriptively
why does situation support the hypothetical imperative
if i want to do the most loving thing i must do X
you are doing a certain behaviour to meet a certain end
kant states that this is wrong
what is an imperative
something that must be done
what are the three formulations
‘principle of universalisability’
treat people as ends in themselves
act as if you live in a kingdom of ends
whats the first formulation
universalisability
“always act according to the maxim whose universality as a law you can at the same time will…such an imperative is categorical”
what does the first formulation mean
for something to be morally good you should be able to make it universal
bank of maxims
applied to anyone in any situation
doesnt matter about consequences
does it make sense for everyone to act that way
jesus’ golden rule “treat others as you would like to be treated”
what is the second formulation
humans are ends in themselves
“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”
what does the second formulation mean
dont use other people for your own gain
humans for kant are rational beings and so we are special and should be treated as autonomous beings
what is the third formulation
kingdom of ends
“act as if (you are) a legislating member in the universal kingdom of ends”
what does the third formulation mean
kant argues that to preserve the moral integrity of each individual we must see everyone as an end
we have a duty to develop ourselves and reach our own perfection
