Kant

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  • Created by: kit
  • Created on: 04-05-13 20:16

Kant

Type of ethic 

- Deontological - rejects consequentialism - absolute/objective - a priori/synthetic

Good will & duty

- 'Good will shines forth like a prescious jewel'

- We should avoid emotion and use reason --> Emotion = subjective     Reason = Objective .Absolute & universal as we all have 'Moral law within'

- We cannot base our decisions on potential outcomes --> Susceptable to change/infinite potentialitys --> SO intention more important

 - An action is only moral when done from a sense of duty & goodwill - only valid reason --> pity/self gratification = not moral

Hypothetical imperative - Teleological - concerned with purpose & ultimate goal 

- Involves reason for action being related to the outcome > No reason to pursue the imperative unless you want to achieve the outcome'If this, then that' 

Categorical Imperative & 3 Maxims

- Clear & show no uncertainty/ unconditional moral obligation that is binding in all circumstances and is not dependent on a person's inclination 

-absolute/objective/deontological

3 Maxims/formulations of the categorical imperative

- 1st Formulation - Universalisation --> Don't do an action you wouldn't want all to do 

- 2nd Formulation - Humans as ends --> Respect others, not as means to an end

- 3rd Formulation - Kingdom of ends --> Equality, all be treated with same rights

Strengths

- People generally share same/similar views of morality

- Based on reason/clear criteria for what is moral

- Respects all(KINGDOM OF ENDS)-Universal(UNIVERSILISATION)

- Distinguishes between duty/inclination --> Duty = part of being human

- W.D Ross Prima Facea

Weaknesses

- Relies on all sharing same values ( living in KINGDOM OF ENDS)

- Seems cold/inhuman - rejects compassion

- Outcomes = important = human nature to consider consequences

- Abstract = Hard to apply = conflicting duties

- Not all are rational

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