Kant

Kant's deontological ethics

Immanual Kant (1724-1804)

concerned with actions not conquences
if a certain action is wrong it is wrong in all situations, irrespective of the concequences
moral virtue is conferred by virtue of the actions in themselves
oposition to teleological views (e.g. utilitarianism) which think that the consequences of an action determine its moral worth
deontological - concerned with duty
to act morally is to do one's duty, and one's duty is to obey moral law
Kant argued that we should not be side-tracked by feeling and inclination
moral statements are prescriptive - 'ought' implies 'can'
humans seek an ultimate end called the supreme good, the summum bonum (a state in which human cirtue and happiness are united)
it is impossible for humans to achieve this in one lifetime (immortal souls suceed)
Kant rejected teleological arguments, but his theory assumes God's existence and immortality
Kant thought that the after-life and god must exist to provide an opportunity for reaching this supreme good
for Kant, morality leads to God

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