Lesson 3. Kant

Question 1

True or false:The hypothetical imperative is acting only as a means, not as an end in itself.

Answer 1

True, the hypothetical imperative is indeed acting in a way that you use the deed as (a) tool/means to fulfill your desires/needs and therefor it is not moral according to Kants philosophy.

Question 2

What mattered to Kant; the motive or the consequences?

Answer 2

The motive, Kant argued that you can’t fully control every consequences of your own acts, and therefor it is important that you focus on things you can fully control: your own motives and actions.

Question 3

Is suicide moral according to Kant? Why (not)?

Answer 3

No, it is not. Kant argued that taking your own life can be seen as a tool to end suffering and can therefor be considered as a hypothetical imperative, what makes it immoral.

Question 4

In what world can a person be moral, the sensible or the intelligible world?

Answer 4

Only in the intelligible world (reason), because there the mind is free of external powers and therefor able to reason independent.

Question 5

True or false: Kant said that sex is always a tool to satisfy your sexual desires and because of that it is always considered as a hypothetical imperative.

Answer 5

False, Kant said that sex between a husband and a wife is different because that two persons give each other the whole of themselves and not merely the use of their sexual capabilities.

Question 6

True or false: Kant states that ‘the golden rule’ should be used as a guideline for your behavior towards others.

Answer 6

False, the golden rule: “Treat others as you would like to be treated.” Is exactly not what Kant intended.

Question 7

True or false: the two central constructs of Kant’s theory are: duty and consequences.

Answer 7

False: duty and intention

Question 8

What does the moral philosophy of Kant depends on (what are the core elements, what’s his vision of people)?

Answer 8

He believes that people are rational beings worthy of dignity and respect.

Question 9

True or false: Kant says it is important too respect all people, including yourself, as beings who can think
for themselves and can choose their own way of living.

Answer 9

True!

Question 10

Wow, you guys are so smart!

Answer 10

:)

Question 11

Einstein! Thinking of him makes you smarter!

Answer 11

(:

Question 12

True or false: utilitarianism sees people as biological beings.

Answer 12

True!

Question 13

True or false: according to Kant, one can only act truly moral in the sensible world.

Answer 13

False, this is only possible in the intelligible world.

Question 14

What are the conditions of freedom according to Kant?

Answer 14

Setting your own goals, based on rational choice, basing your behavior on that choice.

Question 15

When, according to Kant, do you act according to duty?

Answer 15

When you follow a moral law that you impose upon yourself.

Question 16

How can duty and freedom exist together according to Kant?

Answer 16

Because you choose to act in accordance to your own law, it is your own choice to behave in this way.

Question 17

True or false: Kant says there is only one, universal, moral law that is the same for everyone.

Answer 17

True: because without any external influences everybody would choose the same actions. Everyone would impose the same, universal law upon their selves.

Question 18

True or false: Kant says we can only be free in our sensible world.

Answer 18

False, we can only be free in our intelligible world, because only there you can be free of all external conditions. In the sensible world you are always affected by desires, needs, values and norms.

Question 19

Describe the sensible world.

Answer 19

The sensible world in which you are driven by desires, needs, values and norms. You aren’t free here, you always obey one or more external conditions or laws of nature.

Question 20

What are the two conditions of a categorical imperative?

Answer 20

• when you can universalize it

- when you only act as an end and not as a means