Philosophy Midterm Review - Brief Review and Kanitian Ethics

What are the three Moral theories we’ve discussed so far?

Utilitarianism, Kantianism, and Virtue Ethics.

Utilitarianism?

What Benefits the most persons?

Kantianism?

What does reason, and respect for dignity and autonomy of other demand?

Virtue Ethics?

What would a moral exemplar do?

Natural law Asks?

What is in accord with nature?

Natural Law Theory

Based upon the assumptions hat the good is consistent with fundamental design, not the laws of nature (those laws are descriptive)

Moral laws — Prescriptive in that they tell us how we ought to behave.

Historical Orgins of Natural Law Theory

Aristotle (through Aquinas)

What is included in Aquinas’ Hierarchy

External Law, Natural Law, Divine Law, and Human Law

External Law

The law of God’s regulative reason

Natural Law

The part of God’s Law that is incorporated into human nature

Divine Law

The Law that man receives by special revelation from God

Human Law

Law devised by man for specific purposes

Natural inclinations include…

Life, procreation, knowledge, sociability.

Principle of Forfeiture

A person who threatens the life of an innocent person forfeits his own right to life.

Principle or Doctrine Double Effect

Distinguishes between the intended and the foreseen but unintended consequences of actions

Issues involving Forfeiture

Self-defense, capital punishment, combatants in war

Doctrine of Double-Effect — Further explained

It is permissible to perform an act that will have bad effects only if… the act is good in itself, the bas effect is unavoidable, the intention of the actor is good, the bad effects are not part of the purpose, and the good effect is sufficiently good to compensate for the bad effect.

Key points are: “intentions” and “avoidability”

Evaluating Natural law Theory

Determination of actions is a result of seeing moral law in human nature. Can the way things are by nature provide a basis for knowing how they ought to be?

What are Characteristics of a Good Moral?

Clear/Unequivocal, Reliable, Comprehensive, Psychologically realistic, Yields predictable results, is not widely at odds with our habits, intuitions, and customary responses.

Ksntian Ethics - Immanuel Kant

Claims that morality begins with the rejection of nonuniverslizable principles, a concept that Kant called “The Categorical Imperative”

Why does Kant reject Utilitarianism?

He does not deny that we seek pleasure and avoid pain, but rejects the notion that pleasure and pain are our sovereign masters. We often do things, for moral reasons, that don’t satisfy the principle of utility. Instead emphasizes our autonomy (freedom) and rationality, because it is these which render dignity to each person, and dignity demands respect.

What is Kant’s conception of freedom?

Autonomy (to act freely) and Heteronomy (To act according to desires I haven’t chosen myself, inclination rather than force of will)

What is Kan’s conception of morality?

The Moral worth of an action depends upon motive, i.e. doing the right thing for the right reason

Why is motive important to Kantianism?

There is a difference between an action being Blameworthy (Act wrongly), acceptable (Act rightly but not from right motive), and praiseworthy (Act rightly and from right motive/good will)

The God Will

The volitional nature that concerns Kant. Talents which may be used for good can be used for ill, if the will employs them this way. The properly directed will is the source of good/evil

What are the Three Contrasts?

Morality (Motives — Duty versus Inclination)

Freedom (Determination of Will — Autonomy versus heteronomy)

Reason (Imperatives — Categorical versus hypothetical)

Hypothetical Imperatives

Hypothetical imperatives are generally distinguished by being interest of goal related, avoidable, and individualized, not universal.

Categorical Imperatives

Commands which are independent of an individual person’s interests or goals and are hence not interest or goal related, unavoidable, and universal.

Observations about Categorical Imperatives

CI’s derive their authority from within (as an expression of autonomy), CI’s command absolutely, CI’s are universal and not subject to variation or change, Duty and the institution of morality (must comply, no alibi) “Do this, whether you want to or not, whether you can be made to or not, whether anyone will notice, reward, praise, or blame you.”

Categorical Imperative Examples

• The Rule (Maxim): "I will steal when I want something I cannot afford."

• The Test (Universal Law): Imagine if everyone stole whenever they wanted. The concept of personal property would cease to exist.

• The Contradiction: You cannot wish to live in a world where everyone steals from you, making stealing a self-defeating action. Therefore, stealing is morally forbidden.

Formula of the Universal Law

“Act only on that maxim (a rule or principle that gives reason to your action) that you can will as a universal law.” In simple terms, could everyone act this way?

Formula of humanity as an end

Don’t use other people, treat them with respect

Formula of the Kingdom of Ends

Can this action become a binding moral law for all of us, including you?

Perfect Duties

Things that people must contantly be doing throughout their daily lives, i.e. demanded by all formulations of the CI.

Imperfect Duties

duties that, while not required of people at all times, are deserving of admiration.

Recap of CI-Procedure/Laws

C1 = Formula of “universal law:” Make it a law without any loopholes

C2 = “Respect for persons principle:” People as ends not means

C3 = “Kingdom of Ends:” You are bound to obey th laws you make for the good of the community

Kantian Ethics Strengths

Realm of duty, free from utility

Respect for persons

Golden Rule — Do unto others, expressed in rational terms

Reason based

Kantian Ethics Weaknesses

Hyper-rationality and lack of emotion

The irrelevance of inclination

Overly formal and universal (Most of our duties are in social roles)

Inflexibility

Supererogation

Deontology

An ethical theory that judges whether an action is right or wrong based on a set of rules and moral duties, rather than the consequences of the action.

Negative Rights

Prohibitions/Protections. I.e. right not to be tortured or enslaved

Postive Rights

Claims/entitlements. I.e right to freedom of opinion or expression