Kantian Ethics

Question 1

What were Kant’s values?

Answer 1

Happiness is the only intrinsic good.

Question 2

What were Kant’s priorities?

Answer 2

Happiness is not the most important value.

Question 3

Primary principle for interpersonal conduct for Kant.

Answer 3

Respect the autonomy of other persons: never treat them as mere means to your own ends.

Question 4

What did Kant believe?

Answer 4

• Ethical relativism subordinates autonomy to social conformism.
• Utilitarianism subordinates autonomy to irrational passions.

Question 5

Kant argues that…

Answer 5

As we are autonomous, we are entitled to make autonomous choices of principles to live by.

Question 6

Are mice or inanimate objects moral agents?

Answer 6

No.

Question 7

If Kant is right, do we value pleasure intrinsically?

Answer 7

Yes, however, we value self-respect more.

Question 8

How does self-awareness distinguish human beings?

Answer 8

We recognize ourselves and know our acts belong to us.

Question 9

How does reason distinguish human beings?

Answer 9

We can make judgements, including judgements of value.

Question 10

How does reflection distinguish human beings?

Answer 10

We can make judgements about ourselves and for others.

Question 11

What is a uniquely human object of value?

Answer 11

Dignity.

Question 12

What is a uniquely human goal of social relations?

Answer 12

Respect.

Question 13

What is a uniquely human ranking of values?

Answer 13

If we must choose, respect outranks happiness.

Question 14

What intuitions support Kant’s view?

Answer 14

• Certain thought experiments (organ stealing doctors).
  
  • Also, Pedro had to choose to kill.
• Inviolability of individuals (rights).
• Our intuition that peoples motivations are important, not just the consequen

Question 15

Enlightenment

Answer 15

• 1780’s.
• Reason, rational human being.
• The idea of progress, scientific knowledge (Newton).
• Liberalism: pursuit of happiness (Mill).

Question 16

Human Autonomy

Answer 16

• Giving oneself the law.

- Self-legislation.

Question 17

Happiness is conditional. Explain this.

Answer 17

• Depends on the outcome of action.
• Only freedom, that is, acting in accordance with duty, through a good will, needs no qualitifacions, or conditions.
  
  • Does not depend on the outcome of action.
• Ice cream is good because we perceive it to be good.

Question 18

Is respect unconditionally valid or instrumental reasoning?

Answer 18

Unconditionally valid.

Question 19

Is liking ice cream unconditionally valid or instrumental reasoning?

Answer 19

Instrumental reasoning.

Question 20

Will

Answer 20

Part of us that is influenced by reason.

Question 21

To have a will is…

Answer 21

• To be able to determine one’s action (decide what to do).
• To be free.
• To be able to give ourselves the law of our actions.

Question 22

Only ___ creatures have a will.

Answer 22

Rational.