Deontology Notes

Deontology

• Deontology is a normative ethical theory focused on duties.
• Certain duties must be performed, and others must never be violated.

Immanuel Kant's Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals

• Serves as the historical entry point to deontology.

About Immanuel Kant

• Born on April 22, 1724, in Konigsberg, East Prussia.
• Father was a master harness maker, mother was the daughter of a harness maker.
• Family was of modest means.
• Studied philosophy at the University of Konigsberg.
• Worked as a tutor for six years after graduating.
• Taught philosophy at the University of Konigsberg from 1754 to 1796.
• Major work: Critique of Pure Reason (1781, revised 1787).
  • Argues that our knowledge is limited and structured by our understanding.
  • Knowledge of things in themselves is impossible.
• Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals published in 1785.
• Died on February 12, 1804.
• Known for strict daily schedule.
• Wrote on various topics, including political philosophy (Perpetual Peace) and social topics.

Kant's Ethics and Deontology

• The only thing good without limitation is the goodwill.
• Other seemingly good things can be put to bad uses (e.g., intelligence, courage, wealth, health, happiness).
• The goodwill's accomplishments do not make it good, but rather the motive behind actions.
• Even if actions lead to harm due to circumstances, the motivation of goodwill makes them good.
• Actions have genuine moral worth if motivated by duty and conforming to duty.

Motivation by Duty

• Example: Shopkeeper who doesn't overcharge children.
  • One does it to avoid a bad reputation (selfish motivation).
  • Another does it because it’s wrong to exploit children (motivated by duty).
  • Only the latter has genuine moral worth.
• Example: Philanthropist.
  • One enjoys doing good.
  • Another is depressed but acts charitably out of duty.
  • Only the latter's actions have genuine moral worth.
• Motives matter more than outcomes.

Determining Duties: The Categorical Imperative

• Necessary to achieve an action good in itself.
• Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.
• Propose a course of action (maxim).
• Imagine it as a universal law.
• Check for rational contradiction.
• Example: Borrowing money with no intention to repay.
  • Maxim: Take out a loan without intending to pay it back.
  • If universalized, the practice of lending collapses due to rational contradiction.
  • Contradicts the definition of a loan.
  • Therefore, it is contrary to duty.

Other Formulations of the Categorical Imperative

• Treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of another, always at the same time as an end and never simply as a means.
  • Using someone as an end means not using them in ways they wouldn't consent to.
  • Using someone merely as a means involves coercion, lying, or threatening.
• Treat all of humanity as rational individuals who are universal legislators in the kingdom of ends.
  • Respect the autonomy of others.
  • Treat others with dignity and respect.
  • When we will universal law, we're setting rules for everyone, not just ourselves.
• Kant believes all three formulations are different ways of saying the same thing.

Objections to Kant's View

• Doesn't admit exceptions.
• Cannot lie to make someone feel better.
• Contrasts with utilitarianism, where lying is permissible if it maximizes happiness.

Marcia Baron's Defense of Kant

• Addresses objections to acting from the motive of duty.

About Marcia Baron

• Teaches at Indiana University in Bloomington.
• Focuses on ethics, moral psychology, and philosophy of law.
• Writes on Kant, Hume, impartiality, loyalty, patriotism, friendship, and love.
• BA from Oberlin College (1976), PhD from the University of North Carolina (1982).
• Taught at Virginia Tech and the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.

Objections to Acting from the Motive of Duty

• First objection: Acting from duty is just doing the minimum necessary to be moral.
  • Trying to check off boxes to be a good person (Boy Scout good deed).
  • Not a good excuse for bad behavior.
  • The motive of duty is not very motivating or praiseworthy.
• Second objection: Alienates from own reasons for acting and from people acted for.
  • Example from Michael Stocker: Visiting a friend in the hospital solely out of duty.
  • The friend feels uncared for.
  • The visitor is alienated from their reasons for wanting to be a friend and cheer them up.

Baron's Response

• Problem: Person hasn't actually done their duty because the duty is to be a good friend.
• Requires a certain attitude and caring about the friend.
• Acting from duty involves having certain attitudes when performing those acts, especially expressions of friendship.
• Morally deficient if only motivated by morality in cases evoking sympathy.
• Rethink what it means to act from duty: being committed to doing what one really ought to do and determining what she ought to do.
• Can visit the hospital and be motivated by friend's suffering while still complying with the motive of duty.
• Objections fail because they are worried about something else entirely.