Deontology
A normative theory that basis its moral focus on duty,obligations and rules
deon means
duty
moral actions adhere to _______
rather than __________
rules (duty) , consequences
Opposed to
Consequentialism and Pragmatism
Main avenues of Deontology:
Moral Absolutes
Divine Command Theory
Kantian Ethics
why is deontology opposed to consequentialism
moral actions are based on results or consequences.
why is deontology opposed to pragmatism
theory and practice; intelligent practice
Moral Absolutism
Some actions are absolutely right or absolutely wrong; Intentions and
consequences do not matter; just obedience to rules
The only right thing is ________ and who said it
The Will" (Kantian) / Kant, W.D. Ross
Divine Command Theory:
- An action is right if God has stated or declared that it is right.
- Follow God's orders for they are right; moral
- Descartes, Calvinists...
- Whether the consequences are positive or not, does not matter.
Pietism
shares an emphasis on personal behavior with the Puritan movement
why did kant believe in deontology
- He believed people must act from a sense of 'Duty.'
- The consequences don't make an act wrong, but the intentions of the person
Kant's Influences: Rationalism
Reason is justification for understanding the world around us.
Knowledge is independent of experience.
We understand innately, the existence of God, Immortality of our soul, freedom
of the will, causality etc...
name 3 rationalist
Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz
Kant's Influences: Empiricism
Knowledge comes from sensory experience; We are not born with
innate ideas, we are born with a tabula rasa, or clean slate; and gather up information as we experience it
name 2 empiricist
John Locke, David Hume
Rationalism vs Empiricism when it comes to morality
-Rationalism Empiricism
Our knowledge of Moral Principles
was implanted in us by God, and
discoverable by reason as it deduces
general principles about human
nature.
-Empiricism
Morality is founded entirely on the
contingencies of human nature and
based o
Where does Kant stand when it comes to morality from rationalism vs empiricism argument
We cannot have Morality be contingent! It is necessary
Intuitionism
The theory that humans have a natural faculty
that gives us an intuitive awareness of morality
2 types of intuitionism
Act-Intuitionism
Rule-Intuitionism
Act-Intuitionism:
Each act is a unique situation. We consult our conscious or our
"intuitions" to decide what is right or what is wrong; even if different from rules.
EX: "Let your conscious be your guide...
Rule-intuitionism
Rule-Intuitionism: We decide what is right or wrong in each situation by consulting moral rules that receive through intuition. We adhere to these rules at all times; we understand these rules through reason and intuition.
EX: "Don't kill innocent people
Kant had what kind of upbringing
Pietism
Kant's highest good
Good in itself (intrinsic)
Good without qualifications (addition of that thing never makes a situation
ethically worse)
What is not Intrinsically Good
Intelligence, perseverance, pleasure
The Good Will:
The consequence of an act, says nothing about the person's will.
- Good consequences can come from bad people...
- Must act out of respect for moral law... your duty to moral law.
- Respect: "The concept of a worth which thwarts my self-love
Categorical Imperative
? Act only according to that maxim by which you can also will that it becomes
a universal law.
? Act in such a way that you always treat humans never simply as a means, but always at the same time as an end.
Not Free Agent:
Not Free Agent: forced to act a certain way;
Acts from Inclination or Duty
acts from free agent
Duty: Obligations
Acts you "ought" to do
Inclination:
Preference or "taste" of which free action to commit; no demand
Kants stand on terms of action
A person is acting freely when he/she suppresses inclinations and
feelings does what they are obligated to do.
Nature of Duty:
act not of inclination but because agent knows they must
Accordance w/Duty" vs. "From Duty
Accordance with Duty does not guarantee its morality; its not
- Only acts 'from duty' are moral.
Ex. You feed your children not for fear of CPS, but you feed them because you
have an obligation to them being your children.
Ex. A Professor assigns reading
The Will (Part II)
The essence of morality is to be found in the motive from which an act is
done; a person is moral when he/she act from a sense of duty
- A good person is a person of "good will," "buena voluntad"
- "benevolent volition
Q. Is it Prudent or is it Right?
Prudential Action: acting from prudence; from reason (not moral unless...)
Moral Action: acting from your bond to morality
A Moral action = one done from a respect for duty
A Moral person = acts from duty, not from inclination or accord w/ duty.
divine command theory
an action is right if god has stated/declared it is right