Kantian Ethics

Question 1

Who created Kantian Ethics

Answer 1

Immanuel Kant

Question 2

What ethical approach is Kantian ethics

Answer 2

Deontological - is the action correct within itself?
(ignoring consequence)

Question 3

Is lying always wrong for Kant

Answer 3

Yes, for Kant there isn’t an instance where lying is right

Making Kant an absolutist

Question 4

What is Kant’s view on moral law

Answer 4

To be moral we bust do our duty and obey the moral law. We can know this law through reason (a priori), such as always telling the truth

However it isn’t our duty to do things we cannot do, such as feed all the starving people

Question 5

What does Kant believe about good will

Answer 5

Kant believed that good will cannot make a situation any more worse (compared to intelligence, power and wealth for example)

Kant also argues that good will should not be judged by its effects, meaning that it has an intrinsic value.

(Shop keeper or murderer)

Question 6

Why does Kant believe we must always tell the truth

Answer 6

idea of ‘what is my duty’ and what would happen if everyone didn’t tell the truth

Question 7

What does Kant use to help us understand our duties

Answer 7

Categorical imperative

Question 8

What is a Categorical imperitive

Answer 8

Says what actions is good in itself, such as ‘tell the truth if you want to gain respect’ (action would be good)

Does not care about end result

Question 9

What is a hypothetical imperative

Answer 9

Says what actions would be good as a means to achieving something else (if you want to pass this exam, you need to understand these flashcards)

Cares about end result only

Question 10

What is a maxim

Answer 10

A general rule to act morally

Question 11

What does Kant say we must do with our Maxims

Answer 11

We must be able to universalise our maxims without causing contradiction, ‘I cannot murder because if murder were to be universal it would be bad to me.’

Question 12

What are the three formulations of the categorical imperative

Answer 12

Universal Law Formulation

End in Itself Formulation

Kingdom of Ends Formulation

Question 13

What is the Universal Law Formulation

Answer 13

1/3 categorical imperative
We should only do something if we are willing for everyone else to do it (what if everyone did that)

Do we want to be given false promises?
Do we want to be lied to?
Do we want to be over charged

Question 14

What is the End in Itself Formulation

Answer 14

2/3 categorical imperative
We must respect other people as they are valuable in themselves, not valuable for what they can be used for.

We shouldn’t lie to people as its wrong, it uses the person we are lying to

Question 15

What is the Kingdom of Ends Formulation

Answer 15

3/3 categorical imperative
We should act as if treating other people as ends in themselves (own sake) were a universal law

Question 16

What are some of Kant’s examples of categorical imperatives

Answer 16

1. it is wrong to make a lying promise
2. it is wrong to commit suicide
3. it is wrong to neglect ones talent
4. it is wrong to refrain from helping others

(because if it were universalised it would be bad
because it is treating people as a means to an end)W

Question 17

What does it means to use a person as a means to an end

Answer 17

To use someone without caring about their goals and feelings

Question 18

What does it mean to use a person as an end in themselves

Answer 18

To treat people with respect and dignity

Question 19

What are strengths of Kantian ethics

Answer 19

Useful principle in making moral decisions ‘treat others as you would treat yourself’

More about duty rather than personal bias

Respects the values of people and recognises human rights

Question 20

What are weaknesses of Kantian ethics

Answer 20

It’s bad to ignore the outcome entirely, what if the outcome is worse than the action

Not realistic, people do not always act in a moral way

Lesser of ‘two evils’ are difficult to solve