Kantian ethics

Question 1

Kantian ethics - Introduction

Answer 1

> Kant was an important German philosopher of the 18th century
There is a universal, objective moral law that we can access through reason
Kant believed in acting in accordance with good regardless of the consequences

Question 2

Kantian ethics - Duty and good will

Answer 2

> Deontological - focus on the idea of morality
The only thing that can be called good without any qualification is the good will.
Purity of motive is important.
Morality should not be driven by emotion

Question 3

Kantian ethics - Kant’s examples of duties

Answer 3

> Doing good to others
Recognising the right to private property
Avoiding drunkness
Not making false promises
Not destroying or limiting other human beings
Not destroying ourselves
Pursuing the greater good

Question 4

Kantian ethics - understanding of moral knowledge

Answer 4

1. Knowledge that comes from sense
2. Knowledge that we have first hand
   >Moral knowledge is apriori - we do not need experience to know what is right and wrong, moral knowledge comes from within
   >Knowledge is sympathetic - we cannot tell if something is right or wrong by looking at it, because we bring additional knowledge when we are making judgements it must be synthetic

Question 5

Kantian ethics - Imperatives

Answer 5

Kant understood moral law in terms of imperatives, moral law is categorical, not hypothetical.
>Hypothetical imperative - rules we must follow if we are to achieve particular results, to achieve X, I must do Y.
>Categorical imperative - Rules that must be followed with no ‘ifs’. Must be followed regardless of what we hope to achieve

Question 6

Kantian ethics - Three principles of formulae in the categorical imperative

Answer 6

1. Universal law of nature - Our moral rules must be capable of being universal (universalisable) Apply to everyone at all times in all cultures
2. The end in itself - people should not treat others as a means to an end
3. The kingdom of ends - people should act as if their behaviour is setting laws in an ideal kingdom

Question 7

Kantian ethics - Kant’s three postulates (assumptions)

Answer 7

> Freedom - We are all free to make moral decisions, if we weren’t free then we couldn’t be blamed
Immortality - good people should be rewarded with ultimate happiness (summum bonum) There is an afterlife where justice is given
God - There must be a God to bring about an afterlife. Human reason cannot know God but his ethics imply God

Question 8

Kantian ethics - Strengths

Answer 8

> Moral absolutes can be appealing
Human moral reasoning gives autonomy to people to act thoroughly rather than blindly following commands
Categorical imperative does not leave people wasting time. Rules are rules.
Recognises dignity and worth of other human beings

Question 9

Kantian ethics - Weaknesses

Answer 9

> Cold and lacking in compassion
Fails to recognise the importance of human emotion
Seems to recommend sticking to rules even when it is clear that such actions will lead to terrible consequences
Doesn’t tell us what to do when duties conflict
Gives more importance to human reason in morality than God