Kantian Ethics Flashcards
Is Kantian Ethics an absolutist or relative theory?
Absolutist.
The view that morals are fixed, unchanging truths that everyone should follow
Explain how Kantian Ethics is deontological
Based on ‘duty’ based ethics and focused on the intrinsic rightness and wrongness of actions
What are the rules that Kant said we have to follow?
Maxims, which are moral rules determined by reason
What is ‘good will’ according to Kant?
Making decisions according to the universal maxims (moral law)
What is a Postulate?
The things assumed/suggested as true on the basis of reasoning, discussion or belief
What is Kant’s “Summum Bonum”?
The highest, most supreme good
Kant - Context
- Viewed morality as absolute
- Wrote during the ‘Age of the Enlightenment’
- Does not have religious devotion
What does Kant say about moral law?
- 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
What is Kant’s theory focused on?
- Focused solely on the actions
- Actions should be based on duty and done with good will
What specific duties does Kant establish we all have?
- the innate right to freedom
- to avoid drunkeness
- to strive for self-perfection
What is the “Hypothetical Imperative”?
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
What is the “Catagorical Imperative”?
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
What are the three principles of the catagorical imperative?
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?
What are the three postulates?
The summum bonum rests on 3 postulates:-
1. We are free beings
2. We are immortal
3. God exists
What does the postulate of freedom mean?
- 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
What does the postulate of immortality mean?
- 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
What does the postulate of God’s existence mean?
- 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
How do the three postulates connect?
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
(+/-) What did W.D. Ross say about Kant’s ethics?
- 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.
What did Kant think of emotion in ethics?
- 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
Reasons why moral decisions SHOULD be based on duty
- 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
Reasons why moral decisions should NOT be based on duty
- 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
Reasons why Kantian ethics are HELPFUL when making moral decisions
- 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
Reasons why Kantian ethics are UNHELPFUL when making moral decisions
- 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
Explain why Kantian ethics is too abstarct
- 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
Explain why Kantian ethics is practical
- 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
