Kantian ethics

Question 1

hypothetical imperative

Answer 1

conditions (ie. if you want to pass, study)

Question 2

categorical imperative

Answer 2

unconditional moral duties (ie. do not lie)

Question 3

what is the 1st formulation of the categorical imperative

Answer 3

“act only according to maxims you can will to be universal law”

Question 4

what are Kant’s three postulates

Answer 4

God, immorality, and free will - needed to achieve summum bonum (highest good)

Question 5

How does Mill critique Kant

Answer 5

calls Kant “rule- worship” - duty can conflict with happiness (ie. never lying to a murderer is irrational)

Question 6

how does Bernard Williams critique Kant

Answer 6

“kantianism demands that we act from duty alone, even if it means abandoning what makes life meaningful to us”

Question 7

hume’s emotivism (link with Bernard Williams)

Answer 7

moral judgements express emotions, not reason.
- you can’t jump from facts (is) to morals (ought)
- morals come from feelings

Question 8

what is Ayer’s criticism of Hume’s emotivism

Answer 8

• logical positivism: Only verifiable/logical statements are meaningful.
• Calls moral claims meaningless (e.g., “Stealing is wrong” is neither true nor false).
  Reduces them to emotional noises (“Boo! Stealing!”).

Hume: morals = sentiment
Ayer: morals = non-cognitive pseudo-statements

Question 9

example of Ayer’s logical positivism to aid understanding

Answer 9

✅ “The sky is blue” (science – ALLOWED!)
✅ “All bachelors are unmarried” (logic – ALLOWED!)
❌ “Charity is good” (emotion – NOT ALLOWED!)

Question 10

How does Onora O’Neill defend Kant

Answer 10

says Categorical imperative provides clear, rational framework - ie. universalising maxims prevents exploitation