Kantian Ethics

Introduction

Kantian Ethics

Normative theory ?

‘What is it that makes an action right or wrong?’

Kantian Ethics

Deontological Theory

This theory states that for any action to have any moral worth we can only look at the motives or intentions behind the act

Kantian EthicsDeontological TheoryDeontological theories do not list consequences as being important is assessing morality unlike Utilitarian teleological theories. This is because we cannot control the consequences of our decisions or predict the outcomes of our actions.

Kantian Ethics

Deontological Theory

Also known as ‘Duty Ethics’ as Kantianism focuses on ‘duty’ rather than ‘consequences’.

Kantian Ethics

Deontological & Teleological theories are at the extremes. Virtue Ethics fall in the middle. This is morality based upon the character of the person involved and was supported by Aristotle.

Kantian Ethics

Reliance on ‘a priori’ knowledge through reasoning. Kant believed that we could know about morality in the same way we know about other things about the world i.e. 2+2=4

Kantian Ethics

Reliance on ‘a priori’ knowledge through reasoning. Kant believed that we could know about morality in the same way we know about other things about the world.

Kantian Ethics

Kantian ethics believe there certain actions that are always wrong and should never be carried out – lying or murder being two

Kantian Ethics

Sovereignty of Reason

Page 20 para 3.

Kantian Ethics

Sovereignty of Reason

Our reactions should be detached rather than selfish

Morality should be universalisable

Morality based on ‘a posteriori’ factors can’t be universalisable

Kantian Ethics

Sovereignty of ReasonBy basing morality on reason we can guarantee that it is objective and its authority or sovereigntyTo deny 2+2=4 is just as irrational for Kant as lying. Rationalism even extends into our value judgements

Kantian Ethics

The Good Will

Where does the goodness of an act come from if we rule out trying to work out what the consequences might be? It must come from something intrinsic to the act itself.

Kantian Ethics

The Good Will

The Good Will is the only thing that cannot be corrupted in the way that other values can i.e. courage, power, intelligence (p.21)

Kantian Ethics

The Good Will

Consequences do don’t matter in moral assessments and are irrelevant in calculating the moral worth of an act, only good intentions or motives matter.

Kantian Ethics

Duty vs. Inclination

The only motive worth any merit for Kant was that of Duty i.e. we know what the right thing to do is so we do it (p.21).

Kantian Ethics

Duty vs. Inclination

If we act from inclination we do so because of our nature. This may be a result of our genes or upbringing and so are reactions we cannot control. These acts should not be praised (p.22).

Kantian Ethics

Duty vs. Inclination

Kant argues that praise is only deserved for things that we freely and consciously chosen to do – and if they fit in with common notions of reality.

Kantian Ethics

The Categorical Imperative

a) Maxims

These are the underlying principles of actions i.e. this is where Kant’s theories begin

Kantian Ethics

The Categorical Imperative

a) Maxims

Maxims are general rules of behaviour which we can then apply to particular situations.

‘Never lie’, ‘Always help people in need’ or ‘Never steal’

Kantian Ethics

The Categorical Imperative

a) Maxims

But how do we know which maxims to follow? How do we know which ones apply to moral behaviour?

Kantian Ethics

The Categorical Imperative

a) Maxims

There is little doubt the following maxim offers go advice but would we call it moral conduct?

Kantian Ethics

The Categorical Imperative

a) Maxims

‘If you don’t want to be laughed at, then don’t go clubbing with your mum’

Kantian Ethics

The Categorical Imperative

a) Maxims

Kant thinks there is a sure way of identifying good moral maxims – The Categorical Imperative (C.I.)

Kantian Ethics

The Categorical Imperative

One way of sorting out moral from non-moral rules of behaviour is that moral rules are examples of categorical imperatives and not hypothetical imperatives

Kantian Ethics

The Categorical Imperative

Three versions given by Kant

Page 23

Kantian Ethics

The Categorical Imperative

Universal Law Formulation

All moral maxims must be universalisable, if we ignore these we are acting in a self-contradictory way

Kantian Ethics

The Categorical Imperative

1) Contradiction in conception

This is a logical contradiction i.e. ‘people should only make false promises when they can gain from it’.

Kantian Ethics

The Categorical Imperative

2) Contradiction in the will

‘Never help others even when they are in need’

This would not provide a contradiction in conception but would be of the will

Kantian Ethics

The Categorical Imperative

By doing this we would be willing that we should receive no help when we need it – when we are old or ill