Deontological Ethics
Deontological Ethics
Derived from the Greek word "deon" meaning "duty" Deontology is a category of normative ethical theories that encompasses any theory which is primarily concerned with adherence to certain rules or duties. Consequences do NOT matter! Intention is relevant. I am acting a certain way only if I act for the right reason.
Basic Assumptions
No matter how morally good their consequences, some choices are morally forbidden. What makes a choice right is its conformity with a moral norm. The Right is said to have priority over the Good. If an act is not in accord with the Right, it may not be undertaken, no matter the Good that it might produce.
Immanuel Kant
"The German Enlightenment philosopher, Immanuel Kant, is regarded as among the greatest and most influential of Western philosophers, and undeniably as one of the most difficult to read and understand." - Kantian Ethics and the Basics of Duty - page 143
Formula of Universal Law:
* CI1 - _______________________ "Act only on that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law" Translation: 1. Can I universalize my act without contradiction? Kant's 4 illustrations: Do not harm the self (suicide) Do not harm or deceive others (lying) Do what is good for the self (develop your talents) Do what is good for others (beneficence)
deontology .
A duty-based ethic -- called ______________ focuses on the act and not its consequence. Rules can be expressed in 2 ways-- a. negatively "Do not lie" "Do not steal" b. positively "tell the truth" "keep your promises"
CATEGORICAL Imperative
Absolute and unconditional moral commands The form of a categorical imperative is: "You ought to X." (X = END-IN-ITSELF, without regards to MEANS or other ENDS) An example of a categorical imperative is: "You ought to study [because you are a student]." It is implied here that the rule or maxim is that students are supposed to study... the end.
Imperatives
An ___________________ is a command to act. It is prescriptive.
KANT
At Utilitarianism A good will is not good because of what it effects or accomplishes...it is good in the willing alone..." At Aristotelian Virtues "Intelligence, courage, resolution, determination...are good in many respects, but they can be bad or hurtful when the will is not good..." (see Adolph Hitler)
Formula of the End in Itself
CI2 - ___________________ "Act in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never simply as a means, but always at the same time as an end." Consider Kant's 4 illustrations, from the perspective of the "agent" (i.e., the person undertaking the action) rather than action: Kant's 4 illustrations: Do not harm the self (suicide) Do not harm or deceive others (lying) Do what is good for the self (develop your talents) Do what is good for others (beneficence)
The Kingdom of Ends
CI3 - "____________________" - Reason is both the source of moral law (legislator) and subject of the law (citizen). Accordingly: "Act always as if you were, through your maxims, a lawmaking member of the moral community, bound to obey the laws you impose upon yourself and others" Translation: Can this act become a binding moral law for all of us (...including you)?
Hypothetical Imperative
Commands that are not absolute, but conditional, and premised on one's desires. The form of a hypothetical imperative is: "If you want Y, you ought to X." (Y = goal/consequence/end; X = means) An example of a hypothetical imperative is: "If you want to pass this test, you ought to study."
Act Guidance
Deontology and Consequentialism provide act guidance; that is, they tell us what sorts of actions we should take
Deontological Theories
Examples of _______________ Divine Command Theory "The Golden Rule" Natural law & natural right theories Kantian Ethics (categorical imperative)
Categorical Imperative
FORM A MAXIM CI#1: Could it become Universal Law? CI#2 Does it treat people as an End not merely as a Means? CI#3 Could the maxim be willed by you and agreed upon by everyone to as moral law for the community? P A S S E S
DEONTOLOGICAL THEORIES
Hold that an action's rightness or wrongness depends on its conformity to a certain moral norm regardless of the consequence, I.e. "Right vs. Good"
KANT
Kant Rejects Utilitarianism: A utilitarian would say that it's okay to use a person as a means to an end if the end is good. Ex. Trolley problem- It's okay to push the fat man over the edge to stop the train from killing five others. Kant would say that we should respect autonomy and the dignity of persons. Therefore, a person cannot be used as a means to an end without their consent. Ex. Trolley problem- It's not okay to push the fat man over the edge because you are using his body as a means. Kant would say that this is stripping him of his humanity and treating him as a mere thing or reducing him to a number.
Perfect Duties
Kant also calls these strict or inflexible duties. These are duties, such as the duty not to commit suicide and the duty not to make a false promise, which have no exceptions. These are never okay to break.
Imperfect Duties
Kant also calls these the laxer duties. These are duties, such as the duty to help people in need (beneficence), which do have exceptions. They are still duties, but you have some choice about how to fulfill them. Ex. You don't have to give all your money to every charity; your inclinations can enter into which charities you choose to give to.
KANT
Morality seems to consist of various law-like principles, obligations, that limit our freedom. "I ought..." (duty) versus I want..." (desire) The "Morally Good Will" (person of good character, integrity) recognizes the moral law as his own self-imposed limitations on individual freedom for the sake of all Human beings have moral dignity because of this power of reason to regulate their behavior Unlike mere animals, we don't just "have desires" or impulses and act on them, we also have the power to reason and AUTONOMY (the capacity for self-governance). Morality is an expression of that autonomy; it is "self- governance."
Divine Command Theory
Philosophy is defined as the systematic inquiry into the nature of things (such as norms), based on logical reasoning or rationality. Following commands does not require reason (blind faith). Divine Command Theory has been variously categorized as moral prescriptivism, as moral theology, and as deontological ethics.
Kant
Reason & Morality: 1.Reason is not only the judge, but also the source, of right and wrong. RATIONALITY is what allows humans to be moral beings. 2.Moral objectives exist and can be discerned through reason. 3.When properly used (rationally guided), will is good. 4.Moral principles that meet the demands of reason are always valid for everyone. Moral Truth &Ethical Duty: 1.Moral truth stands by itself; it is autonomous and self-contained. 2.Ethical duty should not be based on the opinions of any individual, group, tradition, faith, cultural norm or even God's will. They should be based on reason. 3.Ethical duties are the same for all. 4.Being good is a matter of reverence for duty.
Example
The employee is responsible for reviewing invoices and expense reports, and the company policy requires original receipts to justify the items on the expense report. However, the employee submitted photocopies only. A clerk with a duty-based ethic may reject the employee's report and require the originals even though other clerks may simply process the report without question. To know that this is the obligation or duty makes breaking the rule morally wrong. NOTE!! Deontological theories hold that actions that are morally right are those in accordance with certain rules, duties, rights, or maxims. Actions can be morally good, required, permitted or forbidden.
HYPOTHETICAl CATEGORICAL
There are two kinds of imperatives: 1.___________________ imperatives 2._____________L (definite) imperatives
Perfect Duties Imperfect Duties
two types of duties
Character Guidance
what sort of people we ought to become
Divine Command Theory
§It's the idea that we have a duty to obey God, and therefore a duty to do or not do whatever God has commanded us to do or not do. §Divine Command Theory is a moral theory, and moral theology, but, strictly speaking, it is not normative moral philosophy. WHY NOT? (Hint- Consider what it takes for moral philosophy to be normative.)
CONSEQUENTIALISM THEORIES
• Hold that an action's rightness or wrongness depends on the consequence it causes (e.g happiness, pain, etc.)
