Kantian ethics

kants first theory

theory of goodwill

the only thing that is good without qualification is

good will

what does good will entail

acting for the sake of duty

how can you tell if a maxim is universal

passes the categorical imperative

what is a good will

one that acts for the sake of duty (not motivated by consequence)

what is a maxim

principle by which you live

what is universalisation

can this rule be applied to everyone at all times?

the two tests of the categorical imperative

contradiction in conception and contradiction in will

categorical imperatives generate two types of duty

perfect (contradiction in conception) and imperfect (contradiction in will) duties

what form of duty does Kant claim we should follow

perfect duties

how does kant state you cannot treat people (humanity formula)

as means to an end

the two types of moral theory

consequentialism and deontologism

consequentialism

value of an act depends entirely on its consequences

deontologism

the study of the nature of duty and obligation

"Nothing in the world- indeed nothing even beyond the world- can possibly be conceived...

which could be called good without qualification except a good will"

acting in accordance of duty

their actions look like duty yet may be fueled by selfish intent

acting out of duty

to do what is morally right because it is morally right (this is the right thing to do)

acting in accordance with duty/ acting out of duty example

Shopkeeper example:
Shopkeeper doesn't want to rip off customers because he wants a good reputation- Kant would argue he is acting in accordance with duty and his actions have no moral worth

However, a poor shopkeeper who is struggling to make ends meet doesn't rip of customers as he believes being honest is the right thing to do- his act is carried out of duty, so has moral worth

Which term of duty does Kant favour?

acting out of duty

theory of good will

kants second theory

duty

kant believes we should not follow

our natural instincts

the two types of maxim

categorical and hypothetical imperatives

what are hypothetical imperatives qualified by

an 'if' statement

example of hypothetical imperatives

'you should do your homework if you want to do well in the exam'

hypothetical imperatives are not

moral universal laws

kant dislikes hypothetical imperatives, why

they lack universality as they are based in a desire/ends that not everyone shares - actions motivated by personal goals have no moral worth

kants 3rd theory

categorical and hypothetical imperatives

first formulation

does it make sense for me to will everyone everything i want to do

second formulation

treat humanity/ others never as a means to an ends but always at the same time an end

third formulation

we are always setting an example, we need to figure our moral law for ourselves, using reason

what are categorical imperatives qualifies by

something that is applied universally

what does Kant state moral laws are

categorical imperatives

what is a contradiction in conception

something that is self contradictory

example of a contradiction in conception

making a false promise -if you make a false promise your maxim states that 'making a false promise is always okay', if making lying promises was universalisable, lying would be eradicated - destroying the concept of lying

second example of a contradiction in conception

stealing - if everyone stole, no one would have possessions as everything would have been stolen

what is a contradiction in will

the maxim is not self-contradictory however when universalised there is another way we cannot rationally will it

what is kant's test for a contradiction in will

can we rationally will that our maxim be a universal law

kant's example for a contradiction in will

'can we rationally will not to help others in need' - there is no contradiction in conception however we cannot rationally will it; our ends cannot be achieved without the help of others - to will the ends we must also have means

kant's quote on the formulation of the categorical imperative (humanity formula)

"act in such a way that you always treat humanity(...)never simply as a means, but always at the same time as an end"

4 strengths of kant

encourages respect, easier to apply than utilitarianism, encourages autonomy, promotes equality

kant theory 4

categorical imperative - formulation 1-universalisation

why can murder not be universalised

if everybody murdered people without fear of punishment, then the system of law and order would collapse

perfect duty

one we are always obliged to follow

kant theory 5

second formulation of categorical imperative - only ever use humans as an end, never a means to an end - humanity formulation

example of when it would be acceptable to treat someone as a means

Every time you take a taxi as a means however that taxi driver has consented to the arrangement and they too are using you as a means to an ends to make money

Give an example of when it is not acceptable to treat someone as a means

someone pays you with a fake bank note - if they told you the notes were fake you would not have accepted them, but in keeping it a secret you had no chance to consent - treating you merely as a means to get something and not as a person with you own ends