Kantian ethics Flashcards
What are some strengths of Kants 1st formulation - universalisation.
Universalisation: Everything is the same for everyone else. Everyone is held to the same standards. It is very clear, if you dont want something done to you then you should not do it to others.
What is a strength of Kants second formulation
-there is a significant respect for human life as people are treated as an end in themselves, no one is treated unfairly. It advocates for human rights to be respected.
What is an overall strength of Kants 3rd formuation
His overall intention is good. Kant does not claim that we live in a perfect world but creates the maxims to allow people to live in dignity with respect, we have t aplly these maxims as if everyone would do the same to treat everyone fairly.
What is a strength of the absolutist and deontological aspect of Kant’s theory?
He is rational, not swayed by emotions. This means that nothing is based on consequences- everything is the same for everyone.
It also selfish motives and emotives overcoming reason for their is no space for circumstances to be considered.
What is a weakness of Kants formulations of his catagorical imperatives?
-Difficult determining maxims and which formulation to apply and how. Not everyone has the time not capability to reason before everything they do.
-Completely unrealistic and unforgiving as it asks us to not prioritise our family over total strangers.
- what if there is a clash of duties- hw do we decide what to do then? Kant gives no explanation of this.
- Cultural differences (arranged marriages, circumcision etc)- different parts of the world will have different standards and opinions on things than Kant. Cant universalise everything,
What is the problem of duty being the highest good (or just summon bonnum in general)
-His theory is anothropocentric meaning that he believes non-human animals have no intrinsic value which is potentially dangerous. Its a problem for summon bonnum as why cant animals reach this too- dont inteligent creatures also have feelings?)
-There is also no evidence tht summon bonnum exists and if so how do we know?
What is the problem regarding a lack of flexability surrounding Kants theory?
- There is no room fr circumstances or situations to be considered.
- Some philosophers question the existance of moral laws and our need for them. Why should there be objective morals?
- not all moral laws can be universalised.
What is the problem regarding Kants theory being deontological and a priori?
Surely we need to ditinguish things from experience especially things like modern medical science- not everything can be bsed off of reason, duty and good will alone.
What does the kingdom of ends formulation mean?
The Kingdom of Ends is a world in which everyone acts from categorical imperatives, and although we may not live in this world, we must act as if we are. According to this formula we must act on the assumption that everyone will follow the rules you make through your actions.
‘the idea of the will of every rational being as a universally legislating will’
What is a catagorical imperative
requirement that must be obeyed in all circumstances and is justified as an end in itself, possessing intrinsic value beyond simply being desirable.
