Kantian Ethics Flashcards
What could be said about Kants approach to ethics ?
That his ethical theory is absolutist
what is the sense of duty Kants theory relies on ?
Acting morally according to the good regardless of consequences and our prior inclination
What is a hypothetical imperative ?
An action done in order to achieve a desired result
What is a categorical imperative ?
An action done simply because it is good and the morally correct thing to do
What are the three postulates ?
God
Freedom
Immortality
What is goodwill (for kant) ?
The only truly intrinsically good thing, having good motives and intentions
What was the purpose of the quote “Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing admiration and reverence… the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me” ?
Kant was attempting to critique pure reason
What did Kants absolutism mean for his ethical theory ?
That there were absolute moral laws that apply to all people at all times
What is the formation of universal law ?
The principle that we should only carry out acts that we are able to will as a law for everyone at all times
What is the formulation of persons as ends ?
The idea that human beings should be treated with dignity and respect, and not as mere objects
What is the formulation of kingdom of ends ?
A hypothetical and imaginary state where people always act according to the moral rules and not treat others as ends
What is the meaning of the three formulations ?
Kant believed that using them as a criteria we could determine weather our actions are a categorical imperative or a hypothetical imperative
