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Kantian Ethics

6 important questions on Kantian Ethics

Can reason be the basis of a successful ethical system - yes argument?

Reason is used in all ethical systems. You cannot identify the best result for ethical decisions without first working out some form of success criteria.
The most influential ethical system within the history of Christianity, NML is grounded by reason and recognised by the Church as being consistent and fair.
The use of reasoning as a basis avoids being guided by emotion.
Kant argued that desires and emotions are not good guides because they result in inequality and unfairness in ethics.

How coherent is Kant's idea of a summum bonum? - coherent argument

It is based in reason and so is easy to follow and apply.
Clear guidance results from application of maxims and the idea of universal rules.
It focuses on the individual as central to ethics and not as a means to an end.
It is based in three postulates(freedom, immortality, and the existence of God) which ultimately provide the coherence of the theory.

Kant is compatible with religion?

The idea that a moral law is given by God supports the idea of moral absolutes.
Some Christians would indicate that the Ten commandments are clear examples of categorical imperatives at work.
There are clear parallels with natural moral law especially the idea of reason.
The summum bonum is clearly a religious concept when one identifies the postulates of practical reason and Kant himself was openly religious.
The idea of virtue and reward is the basis of religious morality, e.g. heaven and hell, the idea of judgement.

Kant is not compatible with religious ethics?

They are in stark contrast to teleological consequential systems such as situation ethics.
The inflexibility of an absolutist system is inconsistent with the ideas of forgiveness tolerance and non-judgement.
If a system is therefore inflexible it's application can appear to be lacking virtue an thus clearly inconsistent with virtuous religious teaching.
Kant's system can be totally independent of God as human beings make their own decisions and the law is autonomous and independent of religion.

Are Kant's ideas about human beings realistic - yes argument?

The key ideas are realistic - duty and deontology (the idea that we have clear, set rules for behaviour).
Universality of morality in core issues, for example issues of life and death seems far.
Optimistic ability to reason - this is what distinguishes human beings from other species according to the views of many people.
Kant's writing stresses humans occupy a special space in creation. they are different from all other creatures, they are superior. believed humans have an intrinsic worth or dignity which makes them valuable above all price. Animals do not have this.

Are Kant's ideas about human beings realistic - no argument?

Not all humans have the same level of reason to work out duty.
If philosophers have to work it out for others how can it be a true categorical.
Morality is not universally the same and varies from culture to culture and also from age to age.

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

Kantian Ethics

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