Introduction to Ethics - Kantian Deontology

The Formulation of Universal Law

1. Find a maxim that says how you intend to act. 2. Make the maxim universal, so that it would be a law that everyone follows 3. See if you can call this universalization without running into problems (contradictions)

Support for Kantian Deontology

1. Intentions are more important than circumstances. This gives Kantian deontology a strong advantage over utilitarianism. Since the utility could be same in two cases, utilitarianism wouldn't distinguish them like the Kantian deontologist does. EXAMPLE: Say the police are asking for information to help capture a killer. One person offers information because they want to potentially save lives if they can. Another person only does so to get a reward. Both pieces of information help the police. The outcome is the same, but only the first person was moral because of their good intention. The other person did it purely for their own benefit, and so doesn't have moral worth. 2. Tt backs up an important intuition most of us have. This is the intuition that people have value beyond being used as mere tools. EXAMPLE: If a slave was treated really well by their owner and was pretty happy, wouldn't you still feel there's something wrong about this situation? For most people, there are just some things more important than happiness. This is genuine freedom or the ability to be a self-determined agent. Kant's formulation of humanity grasps this idea. It says that our humanity is more valuable than anything else and so should be respected at all times. 3. Another aspect of Kantian deontology that makes it attractive is the fact that it fits with many of our ideas about what morality should be like. a. Some things are simply just the right thing to do (and some simply wrong). b. These are like rules that can't be broken, no matter what. c. They apply to all people without exception.

Problems with Kantian Deontology

1. One problem with this emphasis on intention is that it rules out the moral relevance of external circumstances. In particular, it doesn't seem to make sense of the fact that we judge people even when they aren't fully responsible for the outcome of their actions. EXAMPLE: Suppose that two people intend to murder different people. They both decide to use poison. The first successfully kills their victim. But the second doesn't, because their intended victim just happened to be immune to that type of poison. People may think that the successful murderer is worse than the unsuccessful one, even though the difference between them was due to luck. For this reason, this is often called moral luck. Kant thinks morality can't depend on such things as luck because he argues that moral worth is only in the intentions. 2. Sometimes it seems like you should do something even though it goes against certain (Kantian) duties. For instance, it might be the case that saving human life requires lying or stealing. 3. Another problem for the Kantian deontologist is that they seem to be committed to the idea that ignorance is good. That's because you can do bad things and still be a good person as long as you are unaware of the moral impact of your actions.

Topics in Applied Ethics: 1. the moral permissibility of suicide 2. the moral permissibility of abortion 3. the moral permissibility of torture

1. Suicide: Killing yourself to end suffering is impermissible because you're getting rid of your humanity just to ease your pain. 2. Abortion: If a fetus is classed as a person, then it's impermissible. If a fetus isn't classed as a person, then it's permissible. 3. Torture: Torturing someone until they talk is impermissible because you're using them as a means to your ends.

Categorical Imperative

A concept in Kantian deontology that fulfills the role of a moral law that is binding on all people in all circumstances. If you obey the moral law by willing to do the right thing, then it doesn't matter what the consequences are.

Deontology

A family of ethical theories that maintains that the value of the action is determined by something intrinsic to the act itself

Kantian Deontology

A form of deontology that places absolute moral value in the agent's intent

Formulations of the Categorical Imperative:

Formulation: A test of the permissibility of an action by determining whether it is consistent with upholding the categorical imperative

The Formulation of Universal Law in Practice

IN CONTEXT: Imagine your maxim is: "When I'm losing a game of chutes and ladders I will cheat to win." If this were universal, it wouldn't just be you that could cheat when losing, but everyone. But if there were no rules for chutes and ladders, how would you know when someone has won? So, if everyone intends to cheat, there wouldn't be any rules in effect anymore. Without any rules there can't be winners, thereby undermining your intention of winning by cheating.

Maxim:

Maxim: The situation-specific principle of action that an agent upholds by acting in that way. "I will do something under such-and-such circumstances for some purpose"

Kantian Deontology

Objectivist

The Formulation of Humanity

You should always respect people's humanity (including your own) when you make use of people for some purpose. By humanity Kant means those features that make us ethical agents; for instance, that we can use our rational capacities to determine goals and that we have the freedom necessary to pursue these goals. IN CONTEXT: Imagine you have a friend called Habib, and you want to persuade him to not be friends with Olivia. You make up some reasons why Olivia wouldn't be a good friend (e.g. she's always running late).If you succeed in making Habib not want to be friends with Olivia, then you would have abused his rationality by fooling him, so you can get him to do what you want.

The Formulation of Humanity in Practice

a) EXAMPLE Say your maxim is: "When I'm struggling with my study I will ask a friend to talk me through her notes." Your intention here would be to use your friend to help you understand what you're studying. But since you do nothing to limit their rational or moral capacities, you also respect their humanity as an end. Therefore, it's permissible. b) EXAMPLE: Say your maxim is: "When I'm struggling with my study I will blackmail my friend for her notes." In this case you don't allow your friend to make the decision to help you for themselves. Instead, you make them do it by threatening to do something bad to them. So you don't respect their humanity as an end in itself. Therefore, it's impermissible.

What is meant by the formulation of universal law? (b)

a.) Acting according to a maxim that respects everyone b.) Acting according to a maxim everyone can use c.) Acting according to an action's objective morality d.) Acting according to the categorical imperative

Which of the following people would likely be satisfied with Kantian deontology? (a)

a.) Carl is looking for an ethical framework that considers a person's intentions. b.) Candice is looking for an ethical framework that respects cultural norms. c.) Cord is looking for an ethical framework that considers an action's effects. d.) Carrie is looking for an ethical framework that advances her own agenda.

Which of the following people would likely be satisfied with Kantian deontology? (c)

a.) Desiree is looking for an ethical framework that is relative. b.) Dodd is looking for an ethical framework that is based on the law. c.) Delilah is looking for an ethical framework that respects people's value. d.) David is looking for an ethical framework that is based in divine revelation.

Which of the following people would likely be satisfied with Kantian deontology? (c)

a.) Enya is looking for an ethical framework that can differ from culture to culture. b.) Erika is looking for an ethical framework that considers an action's consequences. c.) Elijah is looking for an ethical framework that gives a basis for objective rules. d.) Eugene is looking for an ethical framework that allows him to get ahead by any means.

Frank's daughter Jenna is sick. They visit the hospital and the doctor says that if Jenna does not get a certain medicine, she will probably die. Unfortunately, Frank cannot afford the medicine. He notices recent improvements to the hospital and suspects it must be making a lot of money by raising the prices of medicines. On his way out, Frank notices an open drawer stuffed with vials full of the medicine Jenna needs. He does not see anyone around and knows he could take some of the medicine without anyone noticing. What would a Kantian deontologist say that Frank should do? (a)

a.) Frank should not take the medicine because stealing cannot hold up as universal law, regardless of the potentially good consequences. b.) Frank should not take the medicine because he has not taken into consideration the possible positive and negative consequences of the action on others. c.) Frank should take the medicine because humans act primarily out of their own self-interest, and what is good is relative to each individual. d.) Frank should take the medicine because it will increase happiness for some, and happiness is more important than the act of stealing.

According to Kantian deontology, which of the following would make an act permissible? (d)

a.) I do not get in trouble. b.) The information I have is good. c.) The outcome is good. d.) My intention is good.

Which of the following represents a potential problem for Kantian deontology? (c)

a.) Intention doesn't have enough weight. b.) Different people have to follow different rules. c.) Feelings have no place in ethical discussions. d.) People are allowed to be used as objects.

Which statement about Kantian deontology is true? (b)

a.) It is a relativist theory because universal truths are relative to the individual or society. b.) It is an objectivist theory because ethics is independent of circumstances and must be the same for everyone. c.) It is an objectivist theory because it is based on the utility principle, which applies to all people at all times. d.) It is a relativist theory because it first takes the individual's happiness into account.

Which statement about Kantian deontology is true? (b)

a.) It is an objectivist theory because God's commands apply to everyone at all times. b.) It is an objectivist theory because the moral law applies to everyone at all times. c.) It is a relativist theory because it uses cultural preference as the criterion for right and wrong. d.) It is a relativist theory because it uses personal preference as the criterion for right and wrong.

According to Kantian deontology, which of the following would make an act impermissible? (b)

a.) It is forbidden by local custom or law. b.) It violates the categorical imperative. c.) It is harmful to myself. d.) It is considered sinful by sacred texts.

How would a Kantian deontologist evaluate lying? (d)

a.) It is morally right when it is done to respect another's feelings. b.) It is morally right because it can have good effects. c.) It is morally wrong because a person with good intentions cannot lie. d.) It is morally wrong because if everyone did it, nobody could be trusted anymore.

How would a Kantian deontologist evaluate murder? (d)

a.) It is morally right when it puts a person out of his or her misery. b.) It is morally wrong if the victim feels any pain. c.) It is morally right when it is done with good intentions. d.) It is morally wrong because it violates the victim's humanity.

How might a Kantian deontologist evaluate stealing? (d)

a.) It is morally wrong because taking a person's property violates his or her humanity. b.) It is morally right if you can get away with it. c.) It is morally right when it is done with good intentions. d.) It is morally wrong because if everyone stole, nobody could be trusted not to steal.

According to Kantian deontology, which of the following would make an act permissible? (b)

a.) Its good consequences outweigh the negative ones. b.) It doesn't violate the categorical imperative. c.) It best meets my own needs. d.) It is legal, or at least not illegal.

Which of the following violates a person's humanity, according to Kant? (a)

a.) Lying to someone b.) Hitting someone c.) Protecting someone from harm d.) Trying to influence someone

A friend is staying at my house. I hear a knock at the door and open it to find a gang of armed men. They ask if my friend is in the house. I want to say no so they will go away, but I also want to say yes because that is the truth. Does this situation present a problem for Kantian deontological ethics? (c)

a.) No, because Kant claims an action is permissible if not performing that action leads to negative consequences. b.) Yes, because Kantian ethics states that right and wrong are determined by gathering all available information. c.) Yes, because Kantian ethics does not provide a clear way of handling conflicting moral duties. d.) No, because Kant claims that self-interest should be the dominant consideration when faced with an ethical dilemma.

Which of the following represents a potential problem for Kantian deontology? (d)

a.) People can sometimes be treated as objects. b.) No weight is given to a person's intentions. c.) The same rules don't apply to everyone. d.) Unintended effects have no impact on a person's moral character.

For Kant, what constitutes humanity? (d)

a.) The legal status of "person" b.) Emotions and feelings c.) A person's biological species d.) Faculties like reason and freedom

When evaluating an act according to Kantian deontology, which do we evaluate? (a)

a.) The maxim b.) The imperative c.) The act itself d.) The consequences

Billy and Alex worked together on their high school research papers, even though their teacher told them not to. They did not help each other that much, so they are certain it was not a big deal. A few days after turning their papers in, the teacher held them both after class. She said, "Billy, Alex, your papers were both very good, the best in the class. But because you had similar topics, I just wanted to make sure you did not collaborate. Did you? "Billy thinks for a moment. If the teacher knew how little they helped each other, she probably would not mind. But if he tells the truth, that will not matter. What would a Kantian deontologist say that Billy and Alex should do? (a)

a.) They should tell the teacher they worked together because even though lying is easiest and represents no negative consquences for the teacher, it cannot stand as a universal law. b.) They should tell the teacher they worked together because there are no possible positive or negative consequences that could affect others. c.) They should tell the teacher they each worked alone because that will increase everyone's happiness: Billy, Alex, and the teacher. d.) They should tell the teacher they worked alone because self-interest dictates they each protect their grades on the paper and in the class.

Which of the following represents a potential problem for Kantian deontology? (b)

a.) Too much weight is placed on local customs. b.) Ignorance makes it easier to get away with bad actions. c.) Feelings form the basis for all ethics. d.) A good deed done with a bad intention is considered good.

Which of the following best summarizes the formulation of humanity? (b)

a.) We must not try to influence other people. b.) We must respect the humanity of others at all times. c.) We must consider the effects of our actions on other people. d.) We must act according to universally agreed upon ideals.

The statement, "I will water my plant when it gets droopy in order to keep it healthy," is a(n) __________. (d)

a.) formulation b.) universal law c.) categorical imperative d.) maxim Incorrect

The categorical imperative is a concept in Kantian deontology that fulfills the role of a(n) __________ that is binding for all people in all circumstances. (b)

a.) undeniable command b.) moral law c.) positive action d.) ethical system