kantian ethics

Question 1

“__involves freely choosing the action” - Immanuel kant

Answer 1

“Duty involves freely choosing the action”

Question 2

according to kant duty is discovered through the _____

Answer 2

categorical imperative

Question 3

what are the 3 importance of following duty for duty’s sake

Answer 3

1. no emotion
2. personal gain
3. no authority command

using emotions is not wrong just amoral (neither good or bad)

Question 4

what is a duty

Answer 4

doing who’s is right for no other reason than besides it’s good/ the right thing to do (regardless of consequences)

Question 5

why does kant argue we have free will

Answer 5

to follow our duty and can work it out through reason

Question 6

“goodwill _____forth like a ____” - kant

Answer 6

goodwill shines forth like a precious jewel

Question 7

what is the highest form of good and why

Answer 7

good will because it is the only thing good within itself anything else can be misused

Question 8

duty and goodwill together make___

Answer 8

duty and goodwill make moral law

Question 9

“the moral law within” meaning…

Answer 9

meaning everyone can reason how they ought to behave in a situation

Question 10

all moral life strives for s_____ B______

Answer 10

summon bonnum (the highest good)

Question 11

when does kant argue errors occur in moral thinking

Answer 11

errors occur in moral thinking when following heteronomous approaches , arguments based on following law as set down by others

Question 12

the only moral law we should follow is knowable by ..

Answer 12

reason

Question 13

if kant disagreed with hypothetical imperatives why did he create them

Answer 13

so that people understand the distinction between hypothetical and categorical (ethical)

Question 14

what’s a hypothetical imperative

Answer 14

a command to achieve a desired result
“if i want x i must do y”

Question 15

what is a categorical imperative

Answer 15

an act is good in itself (intrinsically ) regardless of consequences

• is not dependent on what i might wish and is absolute

Question 16

categorical imperatives
first formula : universalisability

Answer 16

the action is right if the maxim (general rule) can be universalised

Question 17

“Act only according to that ___ by which you can at the same time will that it will become a _____ ___”

Answer 17

act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time will that it will become a universal law

Question 18

categorical imperatives
formula of the end to itself : means to an end

explain

Answer 18

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

Question 19

categorical imperatives
formula of kingdom of ends
explain

Answer 19

every individual should behave as though every other individual was an “end”

Question 20

what is a postulate

Answer 20

a solution to a problem

Question 21

explain the first postulate
freedom of autonomy

Answer 21

• 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.

Question 22

explain the second postulate
immortality

Answer 22

• 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

Question 23

explain the third postulate
God

Answer 23

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

Question 24

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.

Question 25

strengths of kantian ethics

Answer 25

• 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

Question 26

weaknesses of kantian ethics

Answer 26

• 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)

Question 27

what is W.D Ross view on kantian ethics

Answer 27

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

Question 28

what is john stuart mills utilitarianism approach to kantian ethics

Answer 28

mill criticised kant for ignoring consequences
argued focusing solely on duty is insufficient for deciding the best cause of action