Summary: Kantian Ethics

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• 1 Kantian Ethics

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• What is a hypothetical imperative?

  It is an ethical obligation that is doing for a reason or due to a certain circumstance. For example, I will revise so that I get higher grades.

• Why does Kant place so much emphasis on reason?

  Kant believes that everything can be known through human reason including natural laws. So ourselves should be our source of humanity because we all have the ability to reason, meaning that Kant's theory is autonomous, self ruling.

• If someone does the right thing for the wrong reason what are they acting against?

  The duty principle. They are acting hypothetically because they are looking for some sort of reward or consequence for their actions.

• What are the 3 postulates of practical reason?

  freedom - we can assume that we have freedom otherwise we wouldn't be able to make decisions using our reason. 
  The existence of God - and the belief in immortality as we must believe that if we do the right thing we will be rewarded eventually, and if not in this life then in the next, and so God must be real and we must be immortal(we can go to heaven) for us to be rewarded.
  The summum bonum - A state where happiness and virtue come together, it cannot be achieved during life so must be found after death, effectively heaven.

• What are the 3 formulations of the categorical imperative?

  The formula of universal law - meaning that moral laws must be applied the same to all situations.
  The formula of humanity - We never treat humans as the sole purpose for our own needs or gratifications.
  The formula of the kingdom of ends - you must conform to the other 2 formulations when acting.

• What is the universalisability test and how is it undertaken?

  You work out what the person maxim is (moral principle) and then imagine a world where everyone must follow this same principle, you see if there are any contradictions to this(contradiction in conception or volition) and if there is not then you can do it, and if there is then you cannot.

• Kant identifies 4 types of duties what are they?

  Perfect duties - negative commands such as do not lie if universalised would be a contradiction of conception.
  Imperfect duties - is a command to do good things, positive things.

• What do you apply Kantian Ethics to?

  Abortion.

• What are the strengths of Kantian Ethics?

  Provides moral laws that can be applied universally.
  It is very clear, a child could understand the theory that you shouldn't treat people badly or do something to them that you wouldn't want them to do to you.
  it is objective so it is not being altered by other peoples interests and views.
  Kant holds human lives as important, and protects people from being treated as ends.

• What are the weaknesses of Kantian Ethics?

  Consequences of our actions are sometimes so severe that we cannot complete the action, but Kant ignores them.
  The theory is very inflexible because it is absolutist.
  It is too vague, some little things do not seem to matter but Kant says that they are our duty.
  It is anthropocentric, Kant believe humans are the only ones that matter but environmentalists would disagree with this.
  It is unforgiving, an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.
  Every situation is unique and Kant disregards this.