AS2 - Immanuel Kant

What years was Kant living for?

He was alive between the years of 1724 and 1804.

What house of ethical thought was Kant?

He was deontological meaning he cared only about the action and not its consequences.

Why was Kant unique for his time?

He applied his own logic and passion for a definite right and wrong to a topic without such answers, making him radical even by todays standards.

What is the proof that Kant was boring and that he enjoyed a routine?

He followed the exact same routine every day, people would see him doing certain tasks and could tell you exactly what time it was

What is the evidence that Immanuel Kant may have been autistic

-enjoyed math and logic

-liked things to be this or that

-spent his whole life in one place and did not like change

-did the same thing every day

-boring

What denomination did Kant grow up us and what did it teach him

He was raised as a Lutheran (denomination of Protestantism) which taught him to be extremely humble and pious.

What family of thought was Kant

He was a rationalist just like Plato was

What did Kant believe about birth and morality

Kant thought we were all born with our own sense of right or wrong and it was our duty to follow what we believed was correct.

Why did Immanuel Kant argue that God must logically exist

He argued the only reason people acted good was because they believed in a higher power that could enforce and judge. Otherwise why bother being ethical? So logically even if there is no proof, God must exist

What is the most important quote from Kant

“ought implies can”

Explain “ought implies can”

The principle that if someone is morally obligated to do something (ought), then they must also have the ability to do it (can). This means that moral responsibility requires the capacity to act and proves we must have free will.

Simply explain Kant’s idea on duty

He believed that since we were all born with our own moral code it was our duty to follow it. We have to ignore all other influences and do what we innately believe is good or not.

What did Kant think about Good Will

Kant believed that Good Will is the only thing that is good without qualification. It is the intention to act according to moral law and is essential for moral worth. It is always good, no matter the scenario or specifics.

Why did Kant think you should act upon your duty

Kant did not believe there was a reason for acting on your innate duty, he simply thought you should because it is right, not beneficial to yourself.

What is a Maxim

It is another word for a rule

What does Kant believe about our maxims

He believed the only reason we do or don’t do an action is because of personal maxims we all have within us. This are innate rules that we are born with.

What are “good rules” according to Kant

They are the maxims that we test in our head, this allows us to determine them as imperatives that link to good will.

What is a hypothetical imperative

It is an ethical decision that varies depending on whether you want the outcome or not i.e. Do X if you want Y

What is a categorical imperative

It is something unconditional and will never vary i.e. do X, end of

Explain the “universal law” that tests categorical imperitive’s

If it can be logically done by everyone then it is a fair categorical imperative. Assume everyone follows your law and do not make any exceptions.

Explain “people as ends”

Its a test for a categorical imperative, if your maxim means you use someone else then it is not just. A pen can be a means to an end but a willful creature cannot be.

Explain Kant’s “kingdom of ends”

Assume everyone else in the world treats people as an end and follows your maxim

What is the difference between integrity and duty

Integrity can be for personal gain, duty cannot

What people did Kant believe were morally pure

people who followed their duty and good will

What are the three reasons to not abide by duty

-emotional gain

-personal gain

-because an authority told you to

What did Kant believe was moral, amoral and immoral

moral - duty

amoral - emotions/kindness

immoral - not doing duty/doing for bad reasons

What was Kants quote about good will

“good will shines forth like a precious jewel”

What is the triangle of duty

Duty, good will and moral law

If you have a question on one, speak of them all

Why is it important to have a real world implication of an ethical topic in exams

It allows the reader to picture your point in use and develop off it

Define Imperative

It is something that is of the utmost importance and something you must do

What are the three reasons Kant did not like the hypothetical imperative

-We did it to achieve something which is not moral

-It varies depending on a situation which moral law cannot

-It talks of things that are not even ethical questions

Why did Kant like the categorical imperative

-Not dependent on my personal gain

-Does not differ depending on situation

-Was always must, should, will etc.

What are the three tests for maxims to decide if they are categorical imperatives

1 universalizability

2 means to an end

3 kingdom of ends

What is the main and primary test for maxims

Universalizability, this is because the other points only support the main theory of is it suitable for all

Explain universalizability

it is where you ask yourself what would happen if everyone did x. If they did it and its good/fine, then you can too. If its a bad result then its your duty not to do it

What are Kant’s 4 non-universal maxims

-lying promise (no one could trust anyone)

-suicide (everyone would be dead)

-neglecting talents (work would not be done)

-not helping others (world could not possibly function)

What is Kants quote about universalizability

“Act only according to that maxim by which you can, and at the same time will, that it will become a universal law”

What does Kants means to an end teach us

not to use other people to gain something, not morally right

What did Kant personally say about his means to an end

Every rational being exists “as an end in himself and not merely as a means to be arbitrarily used by this or that will”

How should i talk of Kant’s categorical proofs in my exam

Talk about them in order and in full detail, assume the examiner is clueless

Where Kant’s ideas deontological or teleological

mainly deontological with hints to teleology later on

Define postulate

suggest or assume the existence, fact, or truth of (something) as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or belief

Explain the postulate of freedom

We have to assume we are free, this is because we are rational creatures who can make moral decisions and if we were not then we could not be blamed for our moral choices. The very thing that separates us from animals if our ability to set our self rules and know our duty

Explain the postulate of immortality

If we are perfect in doing our duty, we deserve perfect happiness. Since there cannot be a perfect good (summon bonum) in this world, there must be an immortal part of us. We become more moral forever,

Explain the postulate of God

In order for us to have the immortality, there must be a higher power aka a God who ensures that action can be carried through

What gives humans intrinsic dignity

Our ability to reason (dignity)

What did Kant believe made us all equal

Our ability to reason (equality)

Why was Kant deontological

He thought just because the outcome was good, does not mean the reason was i.e. murder could bring you joy.

Why did Kant not believe in good character traits

They could still be used for evil actions i.e. intelligence

Who did Kant believe deserved the most praise

Anyone who does an action simply because they have to deserves the most praise (act from duty)

What is extreme duty

It is when you follow your duty at determent to yourself (if your depressed and do not kill yourself)

Why did Kant dispute the idea of duties conflicting

Because they are:

• universal

• do not discriminate

• do not involve emotions or personal ties

What is a heteronomous will

it acts out of self interest alone and is rationally constrained as it does not act from free will

What is autonomous will

It acts freely and rationally without compulsion (no inner desires)

What is a priori

It is something that can be known without experience i.e. it is innate

What is a posteriori

It is something we must learn through experience with our senses i.e. science

What does Kant say we will do in a clash of duty

He believes as intelligent moral agents we will be capable of choosing the maxim that takes priority i.e. saving others is more valuable than keeping a promise