Kantian Ethics Flashcards
Who was kant
18th century philosopher and enlightenment thinker - meant that reason was central to his beliefs
What is duty according to kant
Acting morally according to the good regardless of consequences, synonymous with good
What does kant say a moral act is made up of
Good will and duty
What does kant say about good will
It is the only thing that is intrinsically good, and the only good will that we can have is to do our duty
‘duty for dutys sake’
What does kant say are two false (immoral intentions)
Basing views of right and wrong on consequence (because they are not in our control)
Basing decisions on what we want to do (because our emotions change on a regular basis)
What example does kant use to show that good will is necessary for a moral action
A shopkeeper who gives the correct amount of change to customers because otherwise it would be bad for business is immoral
A shopkeeper who gives the correct amount of change simply because it is his duty is moral
What is a hypothetical imperative
Commands that we follow if we desire the outcome
Not moral
What is the categorical imperative
Absolute commands that must be obeyed
How do we distinguish between hypothetical and categorical imperatives
Use our reason
Whenever we carry out an action, we have a maxim (rule) in our mind that we are following, maxims can either by hypothetical or categorical
What are the three formulations
3 tests that can be applied to a maxim to determine if it is a categorical imperative
What is the first formulation
Universal law
Everyone should be able to act in that same way without exception
If it leads to a situation that no rational person could desire, it is imperfect and is not categorical
If it leads to a logical contradiction it is not a perfect duty and therefore is not categorical
What is the second formulation
Persons as ends - we shouldn’t solely use people as a means to an end, but also as an end in themselves (as free rational beings who deserve dignity and respect)
What is the third formulation
Kingdom of ends - would I allow this if I was a lawmaker of an imaginary perfect world?
- act how society ought to be rather than how it is
What are the three postulates
Three things that we have to assume for objective moral duties to exist:
Freedom, immortality and God
Why does freedom have to be assumed
We can’t be morally responsible unless we are free
