B) Deontology

B) Deontology

Can test moral actions
1. Categorical Imperatives
2. Persuasive and reliable
Absolute moral theory
1. unchanging principle
  1. not confusing
2. Charles Fried - that which is permissible
  Annotations:
  - 'After having avoided wrong and doing one's duty, an infinity of choices are left to be made.'
No complicated calculations
1. opposition to Utilitarianism
2. less risk and uncertainty
Humanitarian principle
1. basis for human rights
absolutist - no exceptions
1. Shelly Kagan
  Annotations:
  - the theory 'imposes restraints on our moral behaviour.' - restrict from following moral intuition
2. duties conflict - no guidance
  1. e.g. government sacrifice soldiers for majority
W D Ross - bridge some gaps
1. more applicable 21st cent
2. but contradicts Kant
Universibility
1. redutio ad absurdum
  1. "All boys called Frank wear green shoes..."
2. William K Frankena
  Annotations:
  - "There is more to the moral point of view than being willing to universalise one's rules."
Naturalistic Fallacy
1. Hume - Is/ought gap
removes sympathy and emotion
1. Singer
  Annotations:
  - It is only when a person loses all sympathy with the fate of others and is not moved by intimations that an action has its genuine moral worth."
  1. 'moral fanaticism' - closed system
  2. dangerous
    1. elevation of perceived duty above all consideration of humanity
2. e.g. freedom fighters
  Annotations:
  - Pharisees "You give God a tenth of your mint but you neglect justice and love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone."
  1. e.g. Adolf Eichmann - Nazi SS officer
Conclusion
1. logical and reasoned
2. limited and rigid
  1. Schopenhauer
    Annotations:
    - 'cold and inhumane' - practical and arrive at conclusions that work in real world.
  2. disagree - reason not separate from desire
    1. guided by intuition

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