Deontology

• Describe Immanuel Kant's ideas about good will and intentions/duties.

  • Says actions by themselves are not good or bad.
  • An action must be rational and guided by "good will" in order to be good. Meaning our duty and intentions matter, and both decide whether the action will be good or bad.
  • The moral worth of an act is not determined by its consequences.
  • We are always bound by duty, which is determined by rationality and good will.
• Define Deontology.

  Kant's system of ethics that focuses on duty and intention, not on consequences.
• What else is said about Deontology?

  Morality only applies to acts motivated by the recognition of demands made on us by human dignity.
• Define Human Dignity.

  All humans have dignity, so we must willingly value rationality, freedom, and autonomy in ourselves and in others. In order words, all humans have dignity so we must appreciate it in ourselves and in others.
• What else is said about Human Dignity?

  • Because we are reasonable, we are bound by our duty to others. We recognize a person's human dignity, so essentially we need to treat people like people.
  • Reason has more power than desire.
• Define Agency.

  Acts are willfully and rationally chosen, but not out of impulse, inclination, or body function. In simple terms, we have the ability/right to choose to do something and we also have the ability to not do something.
• Define Maxim.

  The personally chosen policy that govern our will (a rule or SET of rules).

  • Reason is a rule-guided activity, so maxims provide the structure for determining what is right or wrong.
• Define Categorical Imperative.

  An absolute command, derived from practical reason, that always holds sway (categorial imperative is a maxim with maxims within it or formulae).
• How many Categorial Imperative formulae are there?

  Kant explains five maxims we can use to determine if an act is moral. In class, we will only focus on three of them. If there is a check/pass on all three of them, then the action is good. If failing one or all laws, then the action is bad.
• Describe Universal Law.

  Should this action be made universal law so is it permissible or allowed?
• Describe Humanity as an End.

  Does this action treat people as an end or as means to an end? Is it using or objectifying another.

  • If you're treating a human as a person and with good intentions instead of for your own benefit, then the formula/law does pass. If you are objectifying a person as a means to an end (to get what you want), then this formula/law doesn't pass.
• Describe Realms of Ends.

  Would one do this in an ideal world? Would one publicize it?

  • Example: Kindness. One would want to be publicized for being kind, so this law does get a pass.