Ethics test 3 Kant
Perfect duties
the universalization of a maxim leads to a contradiction in its logical conception
Imperfect duties
the universalization of a maxim leads to a contradiction in the willing itself (i.e., no rational being could will the maxim to be a universal law)
To not commit Suicide To not break promises
Perfect Duties
Act utilitarianism
Person's act is morally right if and only if it produces at least as much happiness as any other act that the person could perform at that time
What does Kant mean when he says that the Good Will is the only thing that is good in the world "without qualification"?
Absolute good in itself, universally good in every instance -its good in every situation
Rule utilitarianism
Action is right as it conforms to a rule that leads to the greatest good, or that "the rightness or wrongness of a particular action is a function of the correctness of the rule of which it is an instance."
-To cultivate one's talents -To be beneficent/ help others
Imperfect duties
•Good w/ qualification: only good for some purpose, point in time or situation •Qualifications: wealth, virtue, wit, intelligence
In contrast, what does it mean for something to be "good with qualification" and what sort of things does Kant consider good with qualification? (hint: wealth, virtue, wit, intelligence etc.)
No, it undermines itself, destroying the rational expectation of trust upon which it depends.
Is it ever permissible to lie according to Kant? Is it every permissible to steal?
NO
Does Kant believe that being moral will lead to happiness?
•moral is derived from reason, not experience. IT NEEDS to be a priori. Outcomes to all rational beings at all times
How important is motive of a moral act for Kant? How important is the outcome of a moral act?
•"An act must be done from duty in order to have moral worth." •"An action's moral value is due to the maxim from which it is performed, rather than to its success in realizing some desired end or purpose." - even a motive of benevolence is rejected as morally unworthy •"Duty is the necessity of an action performed from respect for law."
What are the three propositions of morality?
self-law, moral actions. When an agent (one who acts) acts autonomously, it is because they act based upon internal drives, desires and values. On the other hand, when one acts heteronomously, he or she acts based upon external forces and obligations
What does Kant mean by autonomy? What does he mean by heteronomy?
willing to admit out of love of humanity, even most of our action are correct
What does Kant mean by the "dear self"?
"If I want to obtain X, then I ought to do Y." •"If I want to buy a house, then I must work hard to make enough money for a down payment." •Hypothetical imperatives are not moral principles!
What is a "hypothetical imperative"?
•Good Will: the only thing in the world that is "good without qualification" •An action has moral worth only when performed by an agent who possesses a good will
What is the "Good Will"?
Everyone
Who do moral laws apply to, according to Kant?
He saw feelings as unreliable, passive and fickle
Why does Kant believe that inclination has no place in ethical decision-making?
Practical Imperative / the "Principle of Dignity"
•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."
What is deontology?
•Comes from greek word "deon" •Deontological (duty-based) ethics are concerned with what people do (and their motives for acting), not with the consequences of their actions
Categorical imperative
•The supreme principle of morality. •Every moral agent recognizes this moral principle whenever accepting an action as morally obligatory
