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Ethical Theories

Ethical Theories. Immanuel Kant and the Ethics of Duty. The Ethics of Duty. More than any other philosopher, Kant emphasized the way in which the moral life was centered on duty.

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Ethical Theories

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  1. Ethical Theories Immanuel Kantand the Ethics of Duty

  2. The Ethics of Duty More than any other philosopher, Kant emphasized the way in which the moral life was centered on duty.

  3. ´two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing wonder and awe....the starry heavens above and the moral law within´ Immanuel Kant, Critique of Practical Reason 1788.

  4. Key concepts • Duty • Reason • Categorical Imperatives (2 types) • Principle of Universalisation • People as “Ends” not means to an End

  5. Animal Nature Before discussing Kant’s moral theories it is important to note his beliefs about the difference between human nature and animal nature.He believed animals were dominated by instinct and desire. Animal behaviour is shaped by these compulsions.

  6. They eat

  7. They fight

  8. They have sex

  9. And when its all over they sleep

  10. Of course human beings are no different to animals and Kant believed we shared their instincts and desires

  11. We eat

  12. Fight

  13. Have sex

  14. And when its all over we sleep

  15. However what separates humans from animals is our ability to REASON. It is this faculty that enables us to act freely and against our instinctsand desires if we so choose. It is also the reason why we are superior to the rest of the animal kingdom.

  16. To be able to question, intellectualize, ponder, critically evaluate and philosophize

  17. Something animals cannot do

  18. Well most....

  19. Kant: Reason alone should be the Foundationof Moral Ethics He believed… The ethical rules we adopt are those which show themselves to be logically consistent – (no self contradiction.) And Moral principles that meet the demands of reason are always valid for everyone.

  20. ´Duty for the sake of duty´. For Kant there was only one ´intrinsically good thing´ and that is a ´good will´. To have a good will is to do ones duty. • Kant felt that what is right is what you feel you ought to do. We can understand what we ought to do by using practical reason. • “The intention of his (Kant’s) morality is to set aside all ego-centeredness, and move towards an unconditional and universal sympathy.” Ethical Theory, M Thompson, Hodder & Staughton, 1999

  21. Kant thought that morality rarely had anything to do with happiness and is all to do with DUTY. He argued that whenever people make decisions and actions that benefit themselves at the expense of other people then they are acting selfishly and therefore immorally. Even if people appear to be acting unselfishly and honestly they can still be acting immorally if their actions are not based on duty and a good will. Kant gave the following example.

  22. Kant’s shopkeepers Kant compares two shopkeepers who both give correct change: The first is honest because he is scared of being caught if he tries to cheat his customers. The second is honest because it is his duty to be honest. According to Kant, only the second shopkeeper is behaving morally.

  23. Two Conceptions of Duty • Duty as following orders • The second conception of duty is much more morally advanced than the first. • Duty is external • Duty is imposed by others • Duty as freely imposing obligation on one’s own self • The Kantian model • Duty is internal • We impose duty on ourselves

  24. IT’S YOUR DUTY Situation1 Soldier attacks-gun position Likely he will die in the first wave (Saving Private Ryan) Situation2 Juror: Defendant has a long criminal history. Instinct says He is guilty. But she must decide on evidence alone. Not guilty. Two situations involving DUTY regardless of consequences Centrepiece of Kant’s Moral Philosophy: Duty

  25. Being good is a matter of duty People who follow Kant care about rules and motives not results. Ethical duties should be the same for all in every circumstance. Kant: Moral truth stands by itself; it is AUTONOMOUS and Self-Contained Rejects consequentialist ethics

  26. Check your learning • Kant and duty • Kant and reason • Kant and consequences • Kant and right and wrong

  27. The Categorical Imperative How do we discover what our DUTIES are? Answer: Through the use of categorical imperatives. Categorical = That which is Absolute. Imperative =Must Do A C.I. is then a command/law that allows no exceptions. A C.I. is a general axiom that is not itself a moral rule, but a means of arriving at a specific moral rule that applies to everyone.

  28. Categorical Imperatives • “Act as if the maxim from which you were to act were to become through your will a general law.” • 2. ´Always recognize that human individuals are ends and do not use them as means to your end´. • Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)

  29. 1. “Act as if the maxim from which you were to act were to become through your will a general law.” • What would it be like if everyone did that?

  30. 1. Universal maxim • The categorical imperative requires that any moral decision you make must be acceptable for everyone else to do too. • If so, your action is right. • If your decision is not okay for everyone everywhere then it would be wrong.

  31. So only those actions that conform to rules that could be adopted by all people at all times are moral.

  32. 2. Always recognize that human individuals are ends and do not use them as means to your end´. • Kant: People are Intrinsically Valuable; they should never be manipulated to achieve a goal. • Basically: Do our actions treat humanity as an end or do they use people as a means????????????

  33. 2. Treating people as ends Human beings can never be treated or used as a means to an end.

  34. Kant argued that human beings occupy a special place in creation and have an ´intrinsic worth´ that makes humankind ´valuable above all price´. Human being are to treated with dignity. Kant considered human beings ´Holy´.

  35. Other animals, by contrast have value only in so much as they serve human purposes. According to Kant humans can use animals in any way they please. We do not even have a direct duty to refrain from torturing them – although Kant thought it wrong, especially as it was far more likely that ´he who is cruel to animals becomes hard also in his dealings with men´.

  36. So what would Kant think about this

  37. Treating people as an ends/inherently valuable, corrects a problem of consequentialist systems i.e.: The happiness of the majority/or some other end opens the door for exploiting people- i.e. SLAVERY. +Enslaving people constitutes the use of these individuals for the happiness of the majority. This cannot for Kant be tolerated

  38. POSITIVES 1. Kant’s emphasis on Duty helps anchor morality so that we are not swayed by changing moods /emotions or sidetracked by unpredictable consequences. Duty as a basis – helps prevent choices being arbitrary and changeable. 2.Kant takes us beyond Non Ethical questions like:‘‘What do I want’’?And to ethical questions like: ‘‘What is RIGHT?’’

  39. 3. For Kant ethics is like Mathematics or science: Truth is truth. Even if we change our thinking- the universe does not change. So: Ethical Laws do not change. They are not open to negotiation.  Kant’s system is attractive if you do not simply want to justify what you want to believe but really want to know what is right. I want B to be true BUT  A is the truth.

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