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Ethics > Kantian Ethics > Flashcards

Kantian Ethics Flashcards

1
Q

Is Kantian Ethics an absolutist or relative theory?

A

Absolutist.
The view that morals are fixed, unchanging truths that everyone should follow

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2
Q

Explain how Kantian Ethics is deontological

A

Based on ‘duty’ based ethics and focused on the intrinsic rightness and wrongness of actions

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3
Q

What are the rules that Kant said we have to follow?

A

Maxims, which are moral rules determined by reason

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4
Q

What is ‘good will’ according to Kant?

A

Making decisions according to the universal maxims (moral law)

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5
Q

What is a Postulate?

A

The things assumed/suggested as true on the basis of reasoning, discussion or belief

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6
Q

What is Kant’s “Summum Bonum”?

A

The highest, most supreme good

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7
Q

Kant - Context

A
  • Viewed morality as absolute
  • Wrote during the ‘Age of the Enlightenment’
  • Does not have religious devotion
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8
Q

What does Kant say about moral law?

A
  • Moral law is an objective, intrinsic law that we all obey
  • Duty is what we are supposed to do
  • Good will is hvaing good intentions and following moral law
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9
Q

What is Kant’s theory focused on?

A
  • Focused solely on the actions
  • Actions should be based on duty and done with good will
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10
Q

What specific duties does Kant establish we all have?

A
  • the innate right to freedom
  • to avoid drunkeness
  • to strive for self-perfection
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11
Q

What is the “Hypothetical Imperative”?

A

States that the reason for an action is always related to the outcome, therefore it is relative and teleological
-> there is no obligation to obey this imperative unless you want to achieve the outcome
-> e.g. If you don’t want to go to prison then don’t steal, but if you aren’t then do

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12
Q

What is the “Catagorical Imperative”?

A

Kant stated that moral obligations should be unconditional, absolute and irrespective of a person’s inclination or purpose
-> e.g. people should never under any circumstances steal

  • FORMULA OF THE LAW OF NATURE
  • FORMULA OF THE END IN ITSELF
  • FORMULA OF THE KINGDOM OF ENDS
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13
Q

What are the three principles of the catagorical imperative?

A

1) “Act only according to the maxim by which you can at the same time, will that it should become universal law”
-> act in a way you would be happy if everyone did

2) “Act in such a way that you always treat humanity never simply as a means to an end”
-> treat people as though they have value within themselves

3) “Act as if he were through his maxims, always a law-making member in the universal kingdom of ends”
-> imagine the action you are doing, would you see it done in heaven?

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14
Q

What are the three postulates?

A

The summum bonum rests on 3 postulates:-
1. We are free beings
2. We are immortal
3. God exists

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15
Q

What does the postulate of freedom mean?

A
  • We have the freedom to choose moral law over our desires
  • We are unable to make moral choices without the freedom to do so
  • We have no ability to control our actions if we are restricted
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16
Q

What does the postulate of immortality mean?

A
  • We are not individually immortal but we cannot achieve the Summum Bonum in this life so there must be a life after death
  • Some believe it’s ok to be unhappy in this life, because after doing the right thing we will have eternal happiness in the afterlife
17
Q

What does the postulate of God’s existence mean?

A
  • Kant’s theories imply there is a God, without basing actions on religion
    > if there is life after death there must be a God
  • Some Christians think Kant focuses too much on moral law rather than biblical revelation
18
Q

How do the three postulates connect?

A

We are free to act on our moral obligations which will help to create a perfect eternal world before we go to the afterlife to be with God in heaven

19
Q

(+/-) What did W.D. Ross say about Kant’s ethics?

A
  • believed Kant’s theory was “the most truly moral of all philosphers”
  • criticises Kantian ethics and sought to make changes to it:-

Tried to modify Kant’s theory to account for conflict of duty cases
-> according to Ross, we have PRIMA FACIE (at first glance) duties, but they are conditional.

20
Q

What did Kant think of emotion in ethics?

A
  • Ignores emotions because they cloud our judgement (e.g. romeo & juliet)
  • we are acting heteronomously (acting by desire not duty) and by the Hypothetical Imperative when using emotions
21
Q

Reasons why moral decisions SHOULD be based on duty

A
  • it’s universal to follow our duties
  • allows for easier decision making
  • emotions can cloud our judgements
    > We may end up making decisions that go against moral law
    > We may regret our decisions later
  • EGALITARIAN so everyone is treated equally
22
Q

Reasons why moral decisions should NOT be based on duty

A
  • duties can be conditional (prima facie) or conflicting
  • commitments to loved ones mean nothing
  • we may not be happy with what we had to do
  • not all decisions require duty
23
Q

Reasons why Kantian ethics are HELPFUL when making moral decisions

A
  • gives us clear guidance
  • allows for actions to be universalised
  • doesn’t disadvantage the minority like utilitarianism
  • if you follow duty, you will always do the right thing
24
Q

Reasons why Kantian ethics are UNHELPFUL when making moral decisions

A
  • disregards the consequences of actions
  • we can have conflicting or conditional (prima facie) duties
  • oversimplification of life
    > murderer at the door scenario = murderer asks for whereabouts of victim and Kant says you must tell the truth
    > Constant argues that if it is always wrong to lie, then society is impossible
  • ignores the lesser of two evils
25
Q

Explain why Kantian ethics is too abstarct

A
  • universal laws and kingdom of ends are unattainable in an imperfect world
  • objective moral law is subjective in reality
  • morality is always relative and depends on the situation
26
Q

Explain why Kantian ethics is practical

A
  • ignoring emotions leads to rational decisions
  • treats people as an end in themselves not means to an end
  • makes decision making easier, as there is no decision to make

Ethics (6 decks)

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