Kantian Ethics

Question 1

Good will

Answer 1

For Kant the only truly good thing is good will - having good intentions (‘good will shines like a precious jewel’) all other things may or may not be good, depending on the situation. Kantian ethics are absolutist, and do not rely on a belief in God, Kants approach is deontological, he is interested in right actions over right outcomes. Kant argues that it doesn’t matter if we are prevented from carrying out our intentions, what matters is that we aim to do the right thing.

Question 2

Duty

Answer 2

Acting morally according to the good regardless of consequence

If we have good will, we will preform the right action for the right reason. For Kant, the motive & outward action must correspond. In order to determine duty, we must highlight what duty is not;
Doing the right thing out of self-interest/due to possible consequences.

Duty is that which we rationally work out that we ought to do. Our emotions & consequences are irrelevant

Question 3

Autonomy

Answer 3

A key factor in Kantian ethics is autonomy. Kant believes human beings have rationality & are able to work out what the rules are. The rules are not imposed by God or another similar authority. Kant argues that when we carry out an action, we are acting on a maxim (moral principle or rule). This doesn’t necessarily tell us whether our maxims are good rules or not, in order to do this we must determine if we are following a categorical imperative or hypothetical imperative.

Question 4

Hypothetical imperative

Answer 4

A moral obligation that is dependent upon desiring the goal in question

A hypothetical imperative is a command that we would follow in order to achieve an end result. For example a teacher might give the instruction ‘do your homework’ which may sound like an unconditional command, but it is not. There is nothing illogical in someone replying that they will not do their homework because they don’t mind getting a detention.

Kant argues that if the command only applies in certain cases, or is dependent on the outcome, then it is not a moral duty.

Question 5

Categorical imperative

Answer 5

An unconditional moral obligation that we are able to work out using reason

A categorical imperative is a command which logically has to be followed. It describes not depend on the end results, and can take the form of ‘Do X’, or ‘Don’t do X’. Therefore, when acting upon the rule ‘Do not kill’, it is not because you have an outcome in mind. There is something unconditional about the command.

Question 6

Universal law

Answer 6

The principle that we should only carry out acts that we are able to will as a law for everyone at all times

Question 7

Persons as ends

Answer 7

Human beings should be treated with dignity & respect (ends) not as mere objects (means)

Question 8

Kingdom of ends

Answer 8

A hypothetical state where people always act according to moral rules & treat others as ends

Question 9

The three postulates

Answer 9

That we have free will: If we are no genuinely free to do either the good action or evil action, we have no moral responsibility

That there is an afterlife: Kant argues that morality requires the sunnum bonnum (the highest good) to be achieved. This is where perfect virtue is rewarded by perfect happiness. This does not happen in this life, so in order to say it ought to be achieved must mean that it occurs in the next life.

That God exists: In order that the sunnum bonnum actually occurs, there must be a God that ensures justice in the universe