Kantian ethics

Question 1

Strengths of Kantian Ethics:
Clear
People
Reason

Answer 1

Clear and concise, little ambiguity
Doesn’t use people
The importance of reason is good as most people accept the importance of using reason to solve dilemmas

Question 2

Weaknesses of Kantian Ethics:
Deontology
Universalisation
Evil

Answer 2

The strict nature of deontology is not very flexible
Not all moral decisions can be universalised, which may lead to the right decision being ignored
Permits evil acts

Question 3

What is a hypothetical imperative?

Answer 3

The idea that if you want something, then you ought to do the thing which will gain you it in the end
But it is not immoral to not do so

Question 4

What is a categorical imperative?

Answer 4

Moral maxims that everyone has to follow

Question 5

What is the Humanity Formula?

Answer 5

The concept of a maxim insuring that human beings are always treated as an end in themselves

Question 6

Is Kantian ethics deontological or consequentialist?

Answer 6

Deontological - it is based off of our inherent duty to do something
Not consequentialist - this would mean our actions should be decided based on outcome, which they aren’t

Question 7

What’re Kant’s three formulations of the categorical imperative?

Answer 7

1. Can it be universalised?
2. Does it uphold the Humanity formula?
3. Would it work in the Kingdom of Ends?

Question 8

What’re Kant’s three postulates?

Answer 8

1. Freedom (Autonomy)
2. Immortality (In order to receive reward of experiencing Summum Bonum)
3. God (Has to exist to be a fair and just judge of people’s actions)

Question 9

What are prima facie duties?

Answer 9

W D Ross wrote of prima facie duties, which are duties we see at first glance, when we look again, we see a different value would be broken if we maintain the prima facie duty