Kantian Ethics Flashcards
when was Kant born and when did he die?
1724-1804
where was Kant from?
Germany
list 3 key works of Kant
- Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals (1797)
- Critique of Practical Reason (1788)
- The Metaphysics of Morals (1797)
what did Kant believe moral knowledge could be known?
through reason
what did Kant believe moral knowledge as based on?
- a priori
- synthetic
define moral law
binding moral obligations
define maxims
moral laws
define duty
obligations for us created by moral law
define summum bonum
highest, most supreme good
define good will
making decisions based on moral law
define categorical imperative
unconditional moral obligation that is always binding irrespective of a person’s inclination or purpose
define hypothetical imperative
moral obligation that applies only if one desires the implied goal
define kingdom of ends
imagined future in which all people act in accordance to categorical imperative
what does Kant think morals are?
universal maxims
for kant, what do good people do?
always follow moral law
what type of ethical thinker is Kant?
deontological
what did Kant think about if our morality is driven by desire for pleasure?
we are slaves to animal instinct
what does goodness become if our morality is driven by desire for pleasure, to Kant?
goodness becomes whatever we desire or impulsively want
what does Kant make a distinction between animals and humans?
capacity to reason “ratio”
what does rationality allow us to do?
frees us to be able to act independently of instinct or desire for pleasure
what are humans free to pursue?
summum bonum
what key ideas of Kant’s theories are connected?(7)
- moral law
- good will
- duty
- summum bonum
- categorical imperative
- freedom
- knowledge
fill in the gaps: “two things fill the ____ with… __________…the starry _______ above me and the _____ ___ within me.” Kant (_______ __ ____ ______)
“two things fill the mind with…admiration…the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me.” Kant (Critique of Pure Reason)
what is the objective moral law irrespective of?
individual opinion
what does Kant’s theory focus on, as opposed to?
the moral actions in themselves, rather than consequences
fill in the gaps: “It is __________ to conceive of anything in the _____, or indeed out of it, which can be called ____ without ____________, save only a ____ ____.” Kant (_________ of the ___________ of ______)
“It is impossible to conceive of anything in the world, or indeed out of it, which can be called good without qualification, save only a good will.” Kant (Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals)
what is good will in accordance w/?
duty
what makes an action good?
if it is done out of moral duty, not for any alternative reasons
explain the shopkeeper example
the shopkeeper who is honest and gives the right change back because it is the right thing to do, not to increase profits or to look good
what should not drive our moral thinking?
emotions
fill in the gaps “To do ____ to ______, where one can, is a ____”
“To do good to others, where one can, is a duty”