Deontology

Deontology

1. Kant (1724-1804)

   • The Theory
     • Duty as the basis of morality.
       • Absolute
       • Duty for Duty's sake.
         • You cannot predict consequences, so we should not assess the worth of an action by them
       • Feeling and inclination cannot be the baisis for moral action.
         • We cannot order ourselves to feel something (i.e. love, sympathy)
           • This cannot be our duty.
             • We OUGHT to do our duty. OUGHT implies CAN. Our duty cannot be anything which we are unable to do.
   • Immortality
     • All humans strive to achieve the summum bonum.
       • It is not possible to achieve it in one lifetime, so we must be immortal in order to continue to strive towards the supreme good.
     • Belief in God is logical to explain our thoughts and actions, but it cannot be proved.
   • Humans are free to make rational decisions.
     • Without freedom, we would not be able to make moral 'choices'. The ability to freely rationalize is what separates humans from animals, which is why freedom is important.
   • "Good will shines forth like a precious jewel."
     • Good will is the highest form of good. It can also be understood as meaning duty. To do one's duty is to perform a morally right action. All moral good comes from duty. Happiness is good, but it is a 'lesser' good.
     • "To tell a falsehood to a murderer who asked us whether our friend, of whom he was in pursuit had not taken refuge in our house, would be a crime."
   • Two types of command which help us to do our duty
     • Hypothetical Imperatives
     • Categorical Imperatives.

2. Focuses on the action