Kant
Q: What does Kant base morality on?
A: Pure reason (a priori principles), not emotion or experience.
Q: What do Hume and the sentimentalists base morality on?
A: Feelings and experiences (a posteriori).
Q: Why does Kant reject empirical ethics?
A: Because feelings differ between people; only reason gives universal moral laws.
⚖ Duty and Moral Worth
Q: Acting from duty vs. in accord with duty?
A: From duty = moral worth (you act out of respect for the moral law).
In accord with duty = same outward act but for self-interest or inclination (no moral worth).
Q: What motivates morally worthy actions for Kant?
A: Respect for the moral law itself, not consequences or feelings.
📜 Moral Law vs. Maxim
Q: What is a maxim?
A: Your personal rule or intention behind an action (subjective principle).
Q: What is the moral law?
A: A universal rule of reason binding on all rational beings (objective principle).
Q: How do they relate?
A: You test your maxim by seeing if it could become a moral law for everyone.
🌍 Categorical Imperative (Formula of Universal Law)
Q: What is the main formulation of the Categorical Imperative?
A: “Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.”
Q: What does “categorical” mean?
A: Applies universally and unconditionally (not “if you want X, do Y”).
🚫 Universalizability and Contradictions
Q: How do you test a maxim?
A: Ask: What if everyone acted this way? Could the world still make sense?
Q: What is a contradiction in conception?
A: The maxim cannot even be conceived as universal (e.g. lying destroys the concept of truth).
→ Violates a perfect duty.
Q: What is a contradiction in willing?
A: The maxim can be conceived universally, but you cannot rationally will to live in that world (e.g. never helping anyone).
→ Violates an imperfect duty.
🧩 Perfect vs. Imperfect Duties
Type | Example | Kind of Contradiction | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Perfect Duty | Don’t lie, don’t commit suicide | Contradiction in conception | Strict, no exceptions |
Imperfect Duty | Help others, develop talents | Contradiction in willing | Flexible, depends on circumstances |
🧠 Core Idea Summary
Moral worth = acting from duty, not for consequences.
Morality = universal and rational, not emotional.
The moral law = what any rational being could will for everyone.