Kant's ethics

• Context of Kant

  Considered one of the most influential thinkers of the Enlightenment era and the greatest Western Philosophers of all time. Also C18th-19th - 1724-1804
• Kant's philosophy is often described as the "golden middle" between Rationalism and Empiricism. Kant argued that experience must be processed by pure reason and this is how humans behave morally
• The "summum bonum"

  The only thing that can be intrinsically good is being perfectly rational - this is the "ultimate good". Humans can achieve the summum bonum by being perfectly rational. All humans have a duty to follow moral law, which is to do actions with a completely rational principle principle behind them
• Kant's theory is deontological as he argued that through human reason we can understand what our moral duties are, and this creates deontological rules that must be followed in all circumstances, regardless of intention, which is often emotional and irrational
• Definition of "Categorical Imperative"

  An unconditional requirement that must be obeyed in all circumstances and is justified as an end in itself
• 3 Forms of Categorical Imperative

  1 - "Act only according to that maxim whereby you can will that it should become a universal law" - This means that in all cases, it must be logically possible for all people to carry out the rule behind your action, in all circumstances. If the action is shown to be illogical when it is universalised, this is known as "contradiction in conception"
• 3 Forms of Categorical Imperative

  2 - "Do not treat humans as means to an end, but as ends in themselves" - This means that it is always wrong to use or harm humans in the way that we behave, so any action that does this is unacceptable
• 3 Forms of Categorical Imperative

  3 - "...every rational being must so act as if he were through his maxim always a legislating member in the universal kingdom of ends". This means that all beings must consider how their actions benefit society, not just themselves as an individual. This is unconditional in nature, and the way that God behaves.
• Kant's view of God and angels

  God and the angels do exist, but as perfectly rational beings. This is an adaption of Classical Theism
• Noumenal realm

  The spiritual realm where beings are perfectly rational - humans can inhabit this when they they display perfect reason
• Phenomenal realm


  The materialistic realm of pleasure and pain, animals can inhabit this realm, and humans too when they are being emotional and irrational
• Humans should not be side-tracked by 'feeling' or 'intuition' - obeying the moral law is always the right decision and duty. Kant believed that humans seek the 'summum bonum' in which human virtues and happiness are equal. This is achieved by completing our moral but is not achieved in one lifetime. The human soul must therefore be immortal and the afterlife and God must exist.
• Kant's view of moral responsibility of humans

  All humans are responsible for action in a rational way - they must seek to overcome their phenomenal intuition and focus on the "summum bonum" of being perfectly rational
• Strengths of Kant's argument

  Straightforward as based on reason and one categorical imperative
• Strengths of Kant's argument

  Deontological nature makes it easy to apply as there are absolute rules
• Strengths of Kant's argument

  It is egalitarian as everyone must be treated well due to the "lawmaker in a kingdom of ends" formulation
• Strengths of Kant's argument

  Does not treat humans as a means to an end
• Weaknesses of Kant's argument

  It is inflexible and unloving
• Weaknesses of Kant's argument

  It is unrealistic to require humans to be completely rational and unemotional
• Weaknesses of Kant's argument

  Depends to an extent on supernatural and unverifiable phenomena, like Gods and angels/the noumenal realm
• Similarities between Kantian decision making and religious decision making

  According to Kant, the most compelling historical modal of moral behaviour is Jesus of Nazareth, for he is said to have resisted all temptations
• Similarities between Kantian decision making and religious decision making

  Kant thinks the best way to promote ethical laws is through the "Church Invisible". The invisible Church is universal; it applies equally to everyone - showing that Kant is pro religious structures and authorities
• Similarities between Kantian decision making and religious decision making

  Kant said that it is not necessary to believe that Jesus was the son of God, but it is important to believe in the possibility that Jesus actually attained moral perfection - sees Jesus as a moral teacher
• Similarities between Kantian decision making and religious decision making

  Kant argued that God did exist as a perfectly rational being
• Similarities between Kantian decision making and religious decision making

  Kant provides a deontological framework that is similar to NML/DCT
• Differences between Kantian decision making and religious decision making

  Kant however did not simply justify the existence of the God of Classical Theism. Jesus is not necessarily the Son of God, and God himself is explained through rational principles, not seen as an ineffable mystery as many Christians would argue he is
• Differences between Kantian decision making and religious decision making

  Kant is known for criticising arguments for God such as Anselm's Ontological Argument
• Differences between Kantian decision making and religious decision making

  Kant's focus on being a perfect rational being is not the same as Classical Theism's focus on on following God's laws (NML/DCT) or following God's examples (SE)
• Differences between Kantian decision making and religious decision making

  Kant would not agree with SE as it would be seen as being to emotional and irrational due to its teleological nature and focus on love