Kantian Ethics
Immanuel Kant believed in an objective right and wrong based on reason.
We should make decisions based on what is moral not on our own desires or emotions. Kant's approach was deontological/absolutist, guided by moral absolutes; right takes precedence ove
Kant's Moral Theory
Kant believed morality should be based on practical reason � this is what tells us what 'ought' to be done.
Kant said that all people have a moral law within them where we find this universal 'ought':
"Two things fills the mind with ever new and increasin
Freedom
Kant said to act morally one must be capable of exercising autonomy of the will.
Our moral decision making must not be subservient to to sometime else i.e greater good, satisfying a desire, making people happy.
When an end or goal dictates our decision th
Good Will
The idea of 'good will' is Kant's starting point for morality. Will is the effort involved in making a conscious moral choice.
Good will has intrinsic value: "Its usefulness or fruitfulness can neither add nor take away anything from its value." (GMM)
Onl
Duty
Acting out of duty is what makes the good will good. The good will choses duty for duty's sake.
Doing duty for another reason i.e greater good, self interest, affection is not a good will and therefore not moral; our motives must be pure.
According to Kan
The Hypothetical Imperative
Hypothetical imperatives do not apply to everyone, they are things an individual must do in order to achieve a certain goal. If I want X I must first do Y.
Depends on outcomes and aims at personal well-being. It is seen as immoral because it is acting our
The Categorical Imperative
Categorical imperatives on the other hand are moral commands.Sets out objective universal moral laws and are not dependant on anything.
It is a test to see if a maxim is in accordance with pure practical reason.
There are three main formulations.
The Categorical Imperative: The Universal Law
'Act only in accordance with the maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.'
This imperative says the only actions that are moral are those which can be universalised w/o contradiction.
In other words before you act
The Categorical Imperative: Treat humans as ends
'So act as to treat humanity ... never solely as a means but always as an end.'
We should not exploit others or treat them as things to achieve an end. To treat someone as a means is to deny that person the right to be a rational and independent judge of
The Categorical Imperative: Act as if you live in a Kingdom of Ends
'Act as if a legislating member in the universal Kingdom of Ends.' Everyone should act as if every other person was an 'end' � a free autonomous agent.
However the idea of autonomy does not mean everyone can simply decide their own morality but that every
The summum bonum
For Kant happiness is not the reason for acting morally, but it is the reward.
He says we have a duty to make ourselves happy not out of desire for happiness but so that we can carry out our other duties and so that we can be worthy of being happy.
In the
Kantian Ethics: Strengths
Straightforward and based on reason. Clear outline of right and wrong and who to act morally.
Deontological - We cannot assume what is good for us is moral or good for others, it is Kant's equivalent of the Golden Rule of Christian Ethics.
Applies to ever
Kantian Ethics: Weaknesses 1
If morality is an end in itself, it raises the question: why be moral?
Kant put obligation as the reason to be moral, however some might question why the motivation of love and compassion shouldn't be put above this.
The categorical imperative and univers
Kantian Ethics: Weaknesses 2
Are humans rational beings? Humans don't always act rationally.
Kant was a moral absolutist so does not allow for exceptions, but if two duties conflict it is impossible to be moral. For example the duties to preserve life and to protect life, in a situat
Kantian Ethics: Weaknesses 3
Kant says actions are made moral by the intention to do one's duty. However our motives are not always pure; we often do things for others because we love them or we feel sorry for them.
Some philosophers argue that putting duty above feelings and emotion