Kantian Ethics

Introduction
Kantian Ethics
Normative theory ?

What is it that makes an action
right or wrong?

Kantian Ethics
Deontological Theory
This theory states that for any
action to have any moral worth we
can only look at the motives or
intentions behind the act


Kantian Ethics
Deontological Theory
Deontological theories do not list
consequences as being important
is assessing morality unlike
Utilitarian teleological theories.
This is because we cannot control
the consequences of our
decisions or predict the outcomes
of our actions.


Kantian Ethics
Deontological Theory

Also known as Duty Ethics as
Kantianism focuses on duty
rather than consequences.

Kantian Ethics
Deontological & Teleological
theories are at the extremes.
Virtue Ethics fall in the middle.
This is morality based upon the
character of the person involved
and was supported by Aristotle.


Kantian Ethics
Reliance on a priori knowledge
through reasoning. Kant believed
that we could know about morality
in the same way we know about
other things about the world i.e.
2+2=4



Kantian Ethics
Reliance on a priori knowledge
through reasoning. Kant believed
that we could know about morality
in the same way we know about
other things about the world.



Kantian Ethics
Kantian ethics believe there
certain actions that are always
wrong and should never be
carried out lying or murder being
two



Kantian Ethics
Sovereignty of Reason

Page 20 para 3.



Kantian Ethics
Sovereignty of Reason
Our reactions should be detached
rather than selfish
Morality should be universalisable
Morality based on a posteriori
factors cant be universalisable




Kantian Ethics
Sovereignty of Reason
By basing morality on reason we
can guarantee that it is objective
and its authority or sovereignty
To deny 2+2=4 is just as irrational
for Kant as lying. Rationalism
even extends into our value
judgements




Kantian Ethics
The Good Will
Where does the goodness of an
act come from if we rule out trying
to work out what the
consequences might be? It must
come from something intrinsic to
the act itself.




Kantian Ethics
The Good Will
The Good Will is the only thing
that cannot be corrupted in the
way that other values can i.e.
courage, power, intelligence
(p.21)



Kantian Ethics
The Good Will
Consequences do dont matter in
moral assessments and are
irrelevant in calculating the moral
worth of an act, only good
intentions or motives matter.



Kantian Ethics
Duty vs. Inclination
The only motive worth any merit
for Kant was that of Duty i.e. we
know what the right thing to do is
so we do it (p.21).



Kantian Ethics
Duty vs. Inclination
If we act from inclination we do so
because of our nature. This may
be a result of our genes or
upbringing and so are reactions
we cannot control. These acts
should not be praised (p.22).



Kantian Ethics
Duty vs. Inclination
Kant argues that praise is only
deserved for things that we freely
and consciously chosen to do
and if they fit in with common
notions of reality.



Kantian Ethics
The Categorical Imperative
a) Maxims
These are the underlying
principles of actions i.e. this is
where Kants theories begin



Kantian Ethics
The Categorical Imperative
a) Maxims
Maxims are general rules of
behaviour which we can then
apply to particular situations.
Never lie, Always help people in
need or Never steal


Kantian Ethics
The Categorical Imperative
a) Maxims
But how do we know which
maxims to follow? How do we
know which ones apply to
moral behaviour?


Kantian Ethics
The Categorical Imperative
a) Maxims
There is little doubt the following
maxim offers go advice but
would we call it moral
conduct?


Kantian Ethics
The Categorical Imperative
a) Maxims
If you dont want to be laughed at,
then dont go clubbing with
your mum


Kantian Ethics
The Categorical Imperative
a) Maxims
Kant thinks there is a sure way of
identifying good moral maxims
The Categorical Imperative
(C.I.)


Kantian Ethics
The Categorical Imperative
One way of sorting out moral from
non-moral rules of behaviour is
that moral rules are examples
of categorical imperatives and
not hypothetical imperatives



Kantian Ethics
The Categorical Imperative
Three versions given by Kant
Page 23


Kantian Ethics
The Categorical Imperative

Universal Law Formulation

All moral maxims must be
universalisable, if we ignore
these we are acting in a self-
contradictory way


Kantian Ethics
The Categorical Imperative
1) Contradiction in conception

This is a logical contradiction i.e.
people should only make false
promises when they can gain
from it.



Kantian Ethics
The Categorical Imperative
2) Contradiction in the will
Never help others even when
they are in need
This would not provide a
contradiction in conception but
would be of the will



Kantian Ethics
The Categorical Imperative
By doing this we would be willing
that we should receive no help
when we need it when we
are old or ill