Kantian Ethics

Question 1

Kant

Answer 1

morality based on reason
we all have a duty to act morally and we must preform this duty because of our sense of duty not because of desires or feelings
catorgorical imperatives and 3 formulations
the 3 postulates

Question 2

Freidrich Schriller

Answer 2

agrees with kants focus on reason but disagrees with his lack of consideration of emotion
people should enjoy doing good things not just do it because it is their duty

Question 3

G.W.F Hegel

Answer 3

Kants catagorical imperative is too vague and does not provide enough ethical guidelines between conflicting duties
instead people need to understand their role in society

Question 4

Arthur Schopenhauer

Answer 4

compassion not just rigid rules
morality comes from our ability to empathize with others suffering

Question 5

JSM on kantian ethics

Answer 5

moral actions should be judged on consequence
outcomes should weigh more than duty

Question 6

W.D Ross

Answer 6

‘prima facie duties’ - moral rules and duties exist in social context of a circumstance
duties exist unless a stronger duty calls for action

Question 7

Context for kantian ethics

Answer 7

europe enlightenment period - religious conflict was prominant
the issue was basing morlaity on differing faiths which could not come ot agreement
morality based on reason allows the potential for agreement and a harmonious society

Question 8

Explain Kants 3 postulates

Answer 8

1. free will - seperates us from animals and allows us to have moral responsibility
2. afterlife (summum bonum) - people act and arnt rewarded accordingly good ro bad so there must be an afterlife where virtueous people are rewarded
3. God

Question 9

Satre criticism of Kant

Answer 9

Duties can clash - e.g. go to war to defend country or stay at hoem and look after sick parent
prima facie duties appear like a practicality issue showing kantian ethics to be overly abstract

Question 10

Stocker’s criticism

Answer 10

if we act out of duty, it’s not possible to also act out of virtueous habits like friendliness which is vital to humanity as this is how we ethically relate to eachother

Question 11

B. Williams criticism

Answer 11

Kantian morality is unatural and requires ‘one thought too many’, when doing good a virtuous person does not need to think about moral laws they simply do good out of habit