Kant revision

Kant revision

1. Duty

   • it is important to act morally according to the categorical imperatives.
   • it is not our duty to perform acts which we are unable to perform.
   • it is our duty to do good acts for the correct intention, we are not performing our duty if we perform acts for the wrong reasons.
   • our will is free and independent. for decisions to be rational they must be made by us alone, with no guidance.
   • duty is linked with the highest form of good.
   • duty is universal and therefore it is an absolute which should be followed in every situation. a deontological approach.

2. Categorical imperatives.

   • moral obligation comes from within ourselves.
   • they have binding force on people. moral commands are obligatory and therefore compulsory.
   • it is never okay to exploit humans. treat them as ends and not as means to ends.
   • act upon the assumption that everyone will act the same and treat everyone morally.

3. deontological approach

   • we must act morally and obey moral laws at all times.
   • Morality of an action is based on the action and not the consequences.
   • if a certain action is right, then it is right in all circumstances, no matter the situation.

4. Reason and morality

   • actions are intrinsically right or wrong, no matter of the situation
   • Humans are rational and they can distinguish the difference between right and wrong.
   • kant believed that there was a moral law and this could be known through reason.

5. Good will

   • highest form of good.
   • if we do our duty, then we are seen to have acted with good will.
   • if we act with good will, we act with the intention of being moral, this is important.
   • a good will is one that does something right with the correct intention
   • Practical reason focuses gaining good will, and not gaining happiness.