Kantian Ethics
- Created by: AroojTahir
- Created on: 29-03-19 19:22
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- Kantian Ethics
- Good Will
- Kant: good thing is good will (good intentions).
- We aim to do the right thing is all that matters. "duty for duty's sake".
- "Good will shine like a precious jewel" Kant
- Duty
- If we have good will, we will do the right action for the right reason.
- Duty is doing the right thing out of self interest and do it due to inclination (because we feel like it).
- Duty is what we rationally think we should do.
- Autonomy and Maxim
- Kant says there can be absolute moral duties.
- Autonomy- the belief that we are free and able to make our own decisions.
- Kant argues when we carry out an action, act on maxim- moral rules.
- Hypothetical Imperatives
- Its a command that we follow in order to achieve an end result.
- May be odd , nothing illogical in saying people who don't do homework and don't mind detentions.
- Kant argues if the command applies in certain situations or is dependent on the outcome, not moral duty.
- Categorical Imperatives
- Categorical imperative is a command and must be logically followed.
- Logical form is 'do x' or 'don't do x'.
- When you do an act on the rule 'don't kill' not because you have an outcome in mind.
- Something unconditional about the command. Kant gives three formulations.
- Kant three formulations
- 1) Universal law: Kant says the action should be universal law, something everyone would logically do.
- 2) Persons as ends: Kant see humans as rational. We have a duty to treat everyone as humans.
- 3) Kingdom of ends: combination of two to make a hypothetical perfect kingdom.
- "Act in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether in your own person...never simply as a means" Kant
- Assessing the idea of duty
- 1) Duty useful as our desires change. Put feelings aside.
- 2) Problem of conflicting duties. Not clear as to what we should do.
- 3) Concept of duty abused when conflicted with authority.
- Three postulates: Duty and God
- 1) We have free will, aree to do good or evil.
- 2) There's an afterlife, immortal. Kant argues in symmumbonum (the highest good) to be achieved.
- 3) That Gid exists, good rewarded by happiness by God.
- Strengths
- Universal law 'treat others as you would wish them to treat you'.
- Reason and duty not linked to personal bias.
- Respect the value of people, not be a means to end.
- Clear and fixed guidelines.
- Secular theory- doesn't require you to believe in God.
- Weaknesses
- Outcome does matter. E.g. not lie to a murderer.
- Not well in a dilemma where there's a lesser evil.
- Does not tell us what we should actually do.
- John Rawls and the veil of ignorance
- Justice is behind the veil of ignorance, agree to laws before we know our position in life.
- Good Will
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