Kantian ethics ETHICS

• Who was Immanuel Kant?

  A German philosopher who lived from 1724 to 1804
• What are three important works written by Immanuel Kant?

  *Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals*, *Critique of Practical Reason*, *The Metaphysics of Morals*
• What crisis did Kant respond to in his philosophy?

  The crisis of morality in light of mechanistic scientific developments
• How did Kant view the concepts of soul, freedom, and God?

  He was critical of relying on religious doctrines but believed in God and an afterlife
• According to Kant, how do we frame our understanding of morality?

  Through concepts and categories that apply universally
• What does Kant mean by "moral knowledge"?

  Knowledge that is known through reason, not experience or emotion
• What is the nature of the moral law according to Kant?

  It is an objective law that binds us universally
• What are "maxims" in Kant's moral philosophy?

  Universal rules that must always apply in moral situations
• How does Kant define a good person?

  A person who follows the moral law out of good will and duty
• What does Kant say about the relationship between morality and feelings?

  Morality is not determined by feelings but by objective moral laws
• What is Kant's view on the consequences of moral actions?

  Doing the right thing may not always lead to good outcomes
• What is the difference between deontological ethics and utilitarianism according to Kant?

  Deontological ethics focuses on the morality of actions themselves, while utilitarianism focuses on outcomes
• What are the four basic questions Kant's philosophy addresses?

  What can I know? What should I do? What may I hope? What is a human being?
• How does Kant define a human being?

  A being that experiences beauty and organization and is the source of natural law
• What are the key concepts in Kant's ethical philosophy?

  • Moral law
  • Good will
  • Duty
  • Categorical imperative
  • Freedom
  • Knowledge
• What is the role of the state in Kant's philosophy?

  The state is necessary to protect individual rights and freedoms
• What are hypothetical and categorical imperatives in Kant's moral philosophy?

  Hypothetical imperatives are conditional, while categorical imperatives are unconditional moral laws
• How does Kant differentiate between analytic and synthetic judgments?

  Analytic judgments clarify concepts, while synthetic judgments add new information
• What is an example of an analytic judgment?

  "All bachelors are unmarried"
• What is an example of a synthetic judgment?

  "The table in the kitchen is round"
• Why are analytic judgments considered a priori?


  Because they do not require experience to be known
• What is a posteriori knowledge according to Kant?

  Knowledge that arises from experience
• How does Kant view mathematical knowledge?

  It is a priori and does not depend on physical objects
• What does Kant mean by "moral law within me"?

  It refers to the objective moral law that exists independently of personal opinions
• How does Kant believe we should approach moral dilemmas?

  By applying reason to determine the moral law
• What is the significance of the quote about the starry heavens and the moral law?

  It highlights the admiration for both the universe and the moral law within us
• What does Kant mean by "the duty not to destroy ourselves"?

  It refers to the moral obligation to preserve our own lives and freedom
• What is the duty not to make false promises according to Kant?

  It is a foundational principle for maintaining trust in society
• How does Kant view drunkenness and gluttony?

  As actions that compromise our freedom to act reasonably
• What is the right to private property according to Kant?

  It is a moral right that must be respected, excluding ownership of other people
• How does Kant propose to determine if a moral maxim meets the criteria for his moral law?

  By developing a system for evaluating moral maxims
• What challenges does Kant acknowledge in determining the moral thing to do?

  He recognizes the complexity of moral dilemmas
• How does Kant believe we should perceive the moral law?

  By understanding the facts and information relevant to moral situations
• What does Kant mean by "moral knowledge is known through reason"?

  It means that moral truths can be understood independently of personal feelings or experiences
• How does Kant differentiate between knowledge gained through sense perception and a priori knowledge?

  A priori knowledge is independent of experience, while knowledge from sense perception is empirical
• What is the significance of Kant's distinction between analytic and synthetic propositions?

  It helps clarify how we understand and categorize knowledge
• How does Kant view the relationship between mathematics and experience?

  Mathematics is a priori and does not depend on physical objects
• What does Kant mean by "knowledge at first hand"?

  Knowledge that is independent of experience and is universally applicable
• How does Kant argue that we can know moral truths?

  Through reason, independent of personal opinions or experiences
• What does Kant mean by "moral law is independent of individual opinion"?

  It means that moral truths exist regardless of personal beliefs or preferences