kantian deontological ethics

what does deontology argue

• morality is a form of duty

• actions are right or wrong in and of themselves

what kinds of duties does kantian ethics claim we have

• general duties

• duties due to relationships

what are general duties + give an example

duties that we have toward anyone else.g do not lie

what are duties die to relationships + give an example

these duties occur due to social relationships e.g a parent has a duty to provide for their child

whose actions do we have duty over

only our own

how does kantian ethics determine if an action is right or wrong

by taking into account the agents intentions

how does kant define acting out of duty

doing the right thing simple because it is the right thing or being motivated by duty

when we act out of duty what are we exhibiting

the good will

give an example of acting out of duty

helping someone because it is the right thing to do

give an example of acting in accordance to duty

helping someone simply because you like them

does acting in accordance with duty have moral worth and why

no - because it isnt exhibiting the good will

does acting out of duty have moral worth and why

yes - because you are exhibiting the good will

how does kant define the good will

the only morally good thing without qualification

why does kant say the goos will is good ‘in itself’

because it good isn’t dependent on what it achieves

define acting in accordance with duty

to do what is right regardless of one motive for doing so (could do the right thing but still have a bad motive)

when we make a decision what are we acting on according to kant

a maxim

what does kant say about morality

that it is the same for everyone

how does kant refer to our ability to make choices

‘the will’

what does kant say about our will

the are rational and never based off instinct

what are maxims according to kant

personal principles that guide our actions

what is kants fundamental principle of morality

‘act only on the maxim through which you at the same time can will it universal law’

how can maxims fail to be universal law

if they are:

• a contradiction in will

• a contradiction in conception

what is a contradiction in concepetion

• if everyone where to act on the maxim it would become self contradictory

give and explain the example for a contradiction in conception

e.g ‘ steal something if you want it cant afford it’

• if this maxim became universal law, everyone would steal when they couldnt afford something they wanted

• the concept of ownership would become redundant

• you cant steal something that doesnt really belong to you

• stealing becomes self contradictory

the maxim is a contradiction in concpetion

what is contradiction in will

when we cannot rationally will a maxim

give and explain an example of a contradiction in will

e.g ‘never help anyone’

• it is a will and a will, wills its end - in order to will an end there must be the means

• we cant will a scenario where we wouldnt be able to reach our ends as that would contradict the act of willing

• we would find ourselves in situations where we would need others help and we wouldnt will ourselves to be denied help

the maxim is a contradiction in will

what is another way kant titles his principle of morality

the categorical imperative

how does kant link the good will to the categorical imperative

he makes it part of the good will saying

‘in order to have the good will you must act according to the maxim that you at the same time can will it universal law’

what is a hypothetical imperative

a command of what one ought to do based on an assumed desire or goal

give an example of a hypothetical imperative

if you want to get good grades then you should study

whya re there hypothetical imperatives in morality

they are the means to our ends, that we will

can we opt out of hypothetical imperatives give an e.g.

yes, if we want a particular end but dint will it e.g ‘ i want to be healthy but dont will it - so dont do anything to put me in that position

are moral duties hypothetical imperatives

no we cant opt out of them so they are categorical

what do the contradiction in conception and will show

how going against a categorical imperative involves a self-contradiction and is wrong because it is also irrational.

what is kants second formulation of the categorical imperative

the humanity formula

‘act in a way that you always treat humanity never simply as a means but at the same time an end’