The three postulates Flashcards
1
Q
What are the three postulates Kant argues are necessary for ethics to be based on reason?
A
- God
- Immortality (of the soul in an afterlife)
- Free will.
2
Q
What is a postulate in Kant’s philosophy?
A
A postulate is something assumed to be true in order to provide a basis for reasoning about a particular subject, even if it cannot be proven empirically.
3
Q
Why did Kant argue that ethics would be pointless without free will?
A
Kant believed that without free will, individuals could not be held responsible for their actions, rendering ethics meaningless.
4
Q
What did Kant propose as the “summum bonum”?
A
Kant proposed the “summum bonum” as the highest good, suggesting that there must be justice in the afterlife where good people are rewarded with happiness, given the unjust nature of life on Earth.
