kantian ethics Flashcards
“__involves freely choosing the action” - Immanuel kant
“Duty involves freely choosing the action”
according to kant duty is discovered through the _____
categorical imperative
what are the 3 importance of following duty for duty’s sake
- no emotion
- personal gain
- no authority command
using emotions is not wrong just amoral (neither good or bad)
what is a duty
doing who’s is right for no other reason than besides it’s good/ the right thing to do (regardless of consequences)
why does kant argue we have free will
to follow our duty and can work it out through reason
“goodwill _____forth like a ____” - kant
goodwill shines forth like a precious jewel
what is the highest form of good and why
good will because it is the only thing good within itself anything else can be misused
duty and goodwill together make___
duty and goodwill make moral law
“the moral law within” meaning…
meaning everyone can reason how they ought to behave in a situation
all moral life strives for s_____ B______
summon bonnum (the highest good)
when does kant argue errors occur in moral thinking
errors occur in moral thinking when following heteronomous approaches , arguments based on following law as set down by others
the only moral law we should follow is knowable by ..
reason
if kant disagreed with hypothetical imperatives why did he create them
so that people understand the distinction between hypothetical and categorical (ethical)
what’s a hypothetical imperative
a command to achieve a desired result
“if i want x i must do y”
what is a categorical imperative
an act is good in itself (intrinsically ) regardless of consequences
- is not dependent on what i might wish and is absolute
categorical imperatives
first formula : universalisability
the action is right if the maxim (general rule) can be universalised
“Act only according to that ___ by which you can at the same time will that it will become a _____ ___”
act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time will that it will become a universal law
categorical imperatives
formula of the end to itself : means to an end
explain
every rational being exists “as an end in himself and merely as a means to be abitariky used by this or that will”
should always treat persons as ends, never as means only
do not use people as means to your own end
categorical imperatives
formula of kingdom of ends
explain
every individual should behave as though every other individual was an “end”
what is a postulate
a solution to a problem
explain the first postulate
freedom of autonomy
• Must postulate freedom - it is ‘the highest degree of life’ and the inner worth of the world!
• Rational creatures are free but they gain this freedom by adopting a formal law of action whereby principles can be universalized.
• Our reason grasps these rules
• Moral choices are only possible if people are free to make them. We have to be free to do our duty.
• We are fully rational beings capable of knowing absolutely what our duty is. When we make a moral decision, we are acknowledging our freedom.
explain the second postulate
immortality
• Perfect virtue ought to be rewarded with perfect happiness
• Perfect happiness and perfect
goodness = Summon Bonum
(highest good)
• Clearly not achieved in this life
• Not achievable in this life but
the next = immortal
• To be clear Kant is arguing that virtue should be rewarded, not we should be to be rewarded.
• Human beings have the opportunity for endless improvement, even beyond death
explain the third postulate
God
If Summon Bonum can be achieved in the next life, there must be someone to ensure it happens
• = God.
• Happiness is distributed in accordance with the moral acts people
undergo
Is human reason reliable?
Can we switch off emotions?
Is there any such thing as an action that does not have an ulterior motive (personal gain)?
Ethics based on culture -cultural relativism e.g. china/ abortion is part of the law of the land which cannot be universalised.
Cold and inhumane basis for morality: morals based on love and compassion not classed as moral e.g. a person giving to charity out of compassion is not doing a virtuous thing because not out of sense of duty.
strengths of kantian ethics
- avoids selfish motives/ emotion overcoming reason: emotions don’t cloud moral judgement, leads to more rational and fair decisions
- responsibility linked to choice
- clarity and consistency : provides clear guidelines on moral decision making through universal laws
- advocates human rights : humanity as an end (second formula) ensures every moral law applies to everyone, upholds dignity and respect
weaknesses of kantian ethics
- clash of duties : doesn’t clearly adresss how to handle situeatuins where duties conflict e.g. axe murderer
- inflexibility: and absolutism : doesn’t allow consideration of outcomes
- limited guidance in specific ethical dialemas (too broad)
what is W.D Ross view on kantian ethics
she believed the in the importance of duty but suggests a more flexible approach to prima facie duties which allows for balancing conflicting duties in moral situation
what is john stuart mills utilitarianism approach to kantian ethics
mill criticised kant for ignoring consequences
argued focusing solely on duty is insufficient for deciding the best cause of action
