Kant (1724-1804)

Kant (1724-1804)

1. Outcomes are difficult to predict so for Kant the intention was important

2. 'ought'- like conscious, you should do it. But only if you can

3. Goodwill + Duty = correct moral action

4. 'Goodwill shines forth like a precious jewel' Have to be willing to do something with enthusiasm. Goodwill is the only pure motive

5. An action is only good if the person acts out of a sense of 'goodwill' for the other person

6. Duty for duties sake- only exception for putting goodwill into action is duty

   • Have to be willing to do something

7. Should have an objective view in a moral situation, free from emotion

8. priori- something you already know 1+1

   • Synthetic- could be true or false- all students are happy
   • Moral situation- is a priori synthetic.
     • Moral knowledge is gained by experience and it can be right or wrong so it is a ...

9. Postulates of morality 1. Freedom to act 2. Immortal souls 3. God must exist

10. Categorical imperative

    • Universalisation- only carry out the action if all people would behave in the same way
    • Humans as ends- treating humans as ends, not as means to an end
    • Kingdom of end- treat humans as ends and stick to your maxim

11. Hypothetical imperative- an action that achieves a result- studying for A levels to get an A

12. Summum bonum= supreme good

    • Happiness achieves the summum bonum but this can't be achieved in one life time, we have to come back, so God must exist

13. 'Ought implies can'

14. Strengths

    • Kingdom of ends- respects all humans
    • Absolute- one rule for everyone
    • People recognise that part of what it means to be human includes duty

15. Weaknesses

    • Not to use emotions like love seems cold and inhuman
    • The outcome might be more important (deontological)
    • It only works if everyone does it