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Kant’s Ethical Theory

Kant’s Ethical Theory. “[I]n ethics what is right in theory must work in practice.”. Kant’s model. The purpose of Ethical theory is to present the ground on which all ethical decisions rest. to identify the general form of (the formula for) moral goodness. What is Moral goodness?.

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Kant’s Ethical Theory

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  1. Kant’s Ethical Theory

  2. “[I]n ethics what is right in theory must work in practice.”

  3. Kant’s model • The purpose of Ethical theory is • to present the ground on which all ethical decisions rest. • to identify the general form of (the formula for) moral goodness.

  4. What is Moral goodness? • “Nothing in the world . . . can possibly be conceived as good without qualification except a good will.” • A good will = a free intention to act according to moral law.

  5. Morality is: • A given reality: • “the moral law within” • as law it is understood rationally • applied consistently & impartially • without regard to outcomes or specific circumstances • expressed in principles

  6. Morality is not: • a matter of what we feel • a matter of what is most efficient • a product of human invention or whim

  7. Reason grasps what is universal & objective understands and applies principles Feelings are particular & subjective tend to be arbitrary and unpredictable Reason vs Feeling

  8. Kant assumes: • Humans are inherently rational. • Humans possess free will. • Humans are composite beings. • Body (inclinations) and mind (reason). • Which tend to be in conflict • This conflict defines moral struggle.

  9. Imperative: It commands Categorical: It commands unconditionally, universally & absolutely, without exception A test for assessing the moral worth of any action: Can I will this action to become a universal law? The Moral Law: Kant’s Categorical Imperative

  10. Act only on that maxim which you can will to become universal law.

  11. maxim: personal principle of will that directs conduct. will: implies freedom of choice We choose our personal maxims. universal law: analogy is law of nature or laws of physics which apply equally & impartially Laws are objective & universally binding. What does Kant mean?

  12. Expresses the basis of all moral action A formal directive expressing what one ought to do, what we are obligated to do. Distinguished from hypotheticalimperative: Do x if you want y. Kant’s Categorical Imperative

  13. Principle of Autonomy An action is moral if and only if it is: CHOSEN freely rationally By the self (autonomously) Principle of Freedom: Freedom is a basic quality of the will of all rational beings. We cannot deny our freedom.

  14. Duty is rational obligation. We act morally when: we act “from a sense of duty” not just “in accordance with duty” Test of duty is not met when we act from: Habit Instinct Inclination Feelings of any kind A desire to achieve the best consequences Understanding Duty

  15. Categorical Imperative 2 • Act always to treathumanity, whether in your own person or in that of any other, . . . at the same time as an end, and nevermerely as a means.

  16. Human beings have intrinsic value. They are ends in themselves. No human should be treated merely as a means to someone else’s ends. This is a general moral rule. Individual Responsibility for all our rational actions. But what of non rational actions? How far does intrinsic worth extend? Implications

  17. Criticisms of Kant’s approach • Critique 1: Kant’s emphasis on reason devalues the role of feeling and emotion in moral matters • Response: Kant doesn’t say emotions don’t accompany morally potent situations, only that the ground of morality cannot be emotion.

  18. Critique: CI admits of no exceptions • Kant does not consider the weight of circumstances • Reply: Kant does distinguish the ideal from the practical; wishing from doing. • Critique: Anything imperative can be universalized if we qualify it sufficiently. • Response: We must distinguish between categorical and hypothetical imperatives.

  19. What people don’t like about Kant • emphasizes struggle • excludes too many who seem good • dictates state of mind as a precondition of morality • can’t handle conflicts of duty

  20. Advantages of Kant’s perspective: • He emphasizes intentions. • Mind of the agent is the moral factor. • He emphasizes human dignity. • basis of modern moral understanding • promotes principles • equality & justice • impartiality & universality

  21. Philosophical Questions: • What does Kant get right? • Universality of human dignity? • Imperative of respect? • Can we correct the things in his theory we don’t like while preserving the best of his insight?

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