A-level ethics: Knati

what ethics did Kant follow?

deontological ethics

what is good will according to Kant?

when actions have moral worth only if done from duty; not personal benefit. eg a firefighter rescues someone it is their duty not for praise or reward

what is a categorical imperative?

an unconditional moral obligation which is absolute in all circumstances and is not dependent on a person's inclination or purpose eg do not steal, this means stealing is always wrong, not just when it is convenient for someone

what are the two types of imperatives?

hypothetical and categorical

what is a hypothetical imperative?

a moral obligation that applies only if one desires the implicated goal eg- if you want to go to medical school, you must study biology

what is duty according to Kant?

an action that is done out out of respect and not personal feelings or outcomes eg a person keeps a promise even if it causes them inconveniences

what is human dignity according to Kant?

people must always be treated as ends in themselves, never as mere tools eg a company pays fair wages not because it benefits them but because workers deserve respect

what did David Hume say about duty?

he believed that morality is rooted in human emotions and experiences and not In abstract principles or divine commands- our passions override reason

why does Kant disagree with David Hume?

he argues that for the sake of duty alone means the person alone is doing the action because its the right thing to do and not for personal reasons like wanting praise or feeling good about it

what does John Stuart mill say about Kantian ethics?

he criticises Kantiian ethics for being too rigid and ignoring the consequences of actions. Kant's focus on duty and universal maxim fails to account for varying needs

what does Friedrich Nietzsche say about Kantian ethics?

he says that Kantian ethics is overly focused on abstract objective moral laws that neglect individual flourishing and the complexities of human nature

what does G.E Moore say about Kantian ethics?

he critiques Kant's theory for relying on objective moral law that cannot be empirically verified. he suggests that Kant's idea of a categorical imperative is abstract and disconnected from human experience- he emphasises that moral goodness cannot e reduced to a set of rational principles and Kantian ethics overlooks the complexity of moral intuition and human nature

who are the critics of kantian ethics?

John stuart mill

Friedrich nietzsche

G.E Moore

David Hume

Elizabeth Anscombe

what did David Hume say about Kantian ethics?

he criticises Kant's reliance on reason as the foundation of moral decisions are based on emotions and human experiences rather than purely rational principles- Kant's emphasis on duty and reason neglects the emotional and subjective aspects of moral decisions, these moral judgements are grounded in feelings of sympathy and sentiment rather than abstract duties

what did Elizabeth Anscombe?

she criticises Kantian ethics for focusing too much on abstract, rule- based duties rather than on the character and virtues intentions and practical wisdom rather than on the character and virtues, intentions and practical wisdom rather than rigid duty- overlooks the importance of moral character and the complexity of moral situations

who are the supporters of Kantian ethics?

W.D ross

Christine korsgaard

Robert Adams

what did W.D ross say about kantian ethics?

he supported Kantian ethics but also modified it by introducing prima facie duties, these are duties that are binding unless they conflict with a stronger duty- he believed that Kant's strict rules could be too rigid so he argued for a balance between duties

what did Christine Korsgaard say about Kantian ethics?

she argued that Kant's ethics provides a rational foundation for moral obligations and help to explain human dignity and autonomy. she emphasises on the importance of self legislation- the idea that individuals must govern themselves by laws so they can rationally advocate

what did Robert Adams?

he combines Kantian ethics with christian teachings and he argued that Kant's emphasis on duty and respect for human. dignity aligns with Christian ethics, which also values human beings intrinsic worth- he suggested that Kant's philosophy supports a moral sytstem based on love and respect for others and not just for f=duty's sake

what are the strengths of Kantian ethics?

it has a clear and universal moral framework

it emphasises human dignity and autonomy

encourages moral consistency, treating everyone equally

moral decisions are based on objective, rational principles

focuses on acting from duty, rather than personal desires

respect for individuals is central to Kant's theory

provides a strong foundation for human rights and justice

what are the weaknesses of Kantian ethics?

can be too rigid, not allowing exceptions in complex situations

fails to account for the importance of consequences in moral decisions

does not provide clear guidance in situations where duties conflict

can be unrealistic, as it assumes individuals will always act morally out of duty

ignores emotional and relational aspects of moral decisions

does not prioritise happiness or personal well-being

can be difficult to apply to real life scenarios because of the emphasis on duty over practical consequences

what is summer Bonum?

the highest good

in what ways does Kant not focus solely on duty?

autonomy of rational freedom

human dignity and respect

the kingdom of ends

moral development and virtue

practical reason and ethical judgement

what is autonomy of rational freedom in Kantian ethics?

the ability to act according to reason rather than external influences. instead of simply following laws imposed by others, Kant believes that moral individuals self legislate ethical principles- morality isn't about just following duty blindly but understanding and accepting moral laws through rational thought

what is human dignity and respect in Kantian ethics

Kant's principle of human dignity is about recognising the inherent worth of every person. while duty tells us to treat others ethically, the deeper reason behind it is that humans possess intrinsic value

what is the kingdom of ends in Kantian ethics?

encourages individuals to act in ways that contributes to a rational moral community- a society where people treat each other as moral equals, while duty is a apart of this it also involves aspiration; working towards an ideal society where individuals embrace moral principles

what is moral development and virtue in Kantian ethics?

he acknowledges that moral individuals must cultivate traits like wisdom, courage and integrity. while duty provides rules, virtues help individuals to apply them consistently and effectively in real life situations

what is piratical reason and ethical judgement in Kantian ethics?

Kantian ethics isn't just about following strict rules it requires individuals to think critically about how moral laws apply to complex situations.his philosophy values rational decision making- meaning it requires thoughtful engagement with ethical dilemmas