Kantian Ethics Flashcards
What is a right/moral action in Kantian ethics
One that acts in accordance to our duty. Driven by a good will to do ‘duty for duty’s sake’ regardless of consequences
Kantian ethics spec
Duty
the hypothetical imperative
the categorical imperative
The three postulates
What is duty
acting morally according to the good regardless of consequences
What is the hypothetical imperative
a command to act to achieve a desired outcome
what is the categorical imperative
a command to act that is good in itself regardless of consequence
What are the three postulates: freedom
we must assume we are free if we are expected to follow moral rules
What are the three postulates: immortality
We must achieve the highest good, if it can not be found in this life it must be in another (afterlife)
What are the three postulates: God
Assume God exists to ensure justice in the universe
What are the three formulas
tests that decide if what we are following is duty
The three formulas: the law of nature
whereby a maxim can be established by universal law
The three formulas: of the end in itself
people are treated as ends in themselves
The three formulas: The kingdom of ends
whereby a society of rationality is established in which people treat each other as ends not as means
What does it mean that Kant was an enlightenment thinker
supports the idea of being guided by one’s own reason rather than God or the Church
