kant

• Kant

  • deontological philosopher
  • reason is the source of morality
  • categorical imperative system
  • do the right thing, even if it produces the wrong result
• 3 ethical ideas

  • human reason
  • individual freedom + autonomy
  • duty
• Kant's idea of morality is based on the belief that morality exists universally

  • morality is independent of human experience
  • we "ought to act from duty"
  • motives are irrelevant in ethics
• reason is an innate, intellectual power existing more or less equally in all men

  • enables individuals to resolve problems in a way more or less acceptable to everyone
  • if reason is universal, the moral commands generated by reason will be universal + applicable to all men
• the Summum Bonum

  • justice is needed for those who act through duty
  • the reward is the 'highest happiness' - the Summum Bonum
  • this is awared to those who freely act in accordance with their moral duty
  • it is available in the afterlife, awarded by God
• 3 postulates of morality

  • freedom
  • immortality
  • God
• the 3 postulates of morality are universal laws created by God - they can only be understood using our human reason

  • if we are reasonable, we realise that we should live with a 'good will' obeying God's laws + living morally
  • Kant said God was necessary because there must be someone to enforce the moral laws
• Kant's moral argument

  • moral behaviour is rational
  • moral behaviour is only rational if justice will be done
  • justice will only be done if God exists

  THEREFORE: God exists