Kantian Ethics Flashcards
Who came up with Kantian Ethics?
Immanuel Kant
What are the three postulates?
Autonomy
Immortality
God
Summum bonum
The reward for acting out of one’s duty, as long as one acted autonomously. It is received in the afterlife
‘The good will’
The basis for morality. A good will alone must be good in whatever context it may be found
Hypothetical imperative
Something that you must do if you want a certain thing to happen
Categorical imperative
Something that you must always obey. Moral rules are always categorical
What is the first of the three formulas?
The universalisation of maxims:
“Act only according to the maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law”
An action is only right if it is possible and desirable for everyone to behave in the same way
What is the second of the three formulas?
“Act in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person if any other, never simply as a means, but always as an end”
All humans have intrinsic value so should all be treated as equals
What is the third of the three formulas?
A kingdom of ethics:
“So act as if you were through your maxim of law making member of a kingdom of ends”
Strengths of Kantian ethics
Fits with mist peoples ideas of morality
Provides clear rules
Rational
Secular
Fair and impartial
Negatives of Kantian ethics
Should rules and duties be absolute?
Kant claims that it is wrong to base moral decisions on uncertainties like consequences, but universalisation is taking into account potential consequences- contradictory
What are the problems with basing a theory on reason?
‘Humane problem’:
Hume says “reason is…the slave if the passions and can never prevent it any other office than to serve and obey them”
‘Aristotelian problem’:
Surely it is better to be naturally good then to have to consciously work out right and wrong
