Kant A01
Background
Morality :
Deontological- focus on actions
Absolute- fixed rules that never change. What is right and wrong never changes
Kant was one of the greatest philsophers of all time, and wrote his theory during the enlightenment (a revolution of human thought that emphasised reason and rational thinking which challenged religion and traditional thinking)
Therefore, morality is within us "the morality is within me", meaning we have an innate understanding and are born with moral obligations
Our innate moral obligation is to do good
Morality is a priori = we know it before we experience it
Morality is Absolute (fixed rules that never change) and universal (apply to everyone)
Reason
Categorical and hypothetical imperative
If you’ve reasoned something is right – it becomes your duty or a categorical imperative (a command)
Categorical imperative is an absolute command that must be followed.
E.g., You must give to the poor
Hypothetical imperatives are followed to gain or avoid the consequence.
Working in self-interest is not a moral action e.g., giving to the poor so that you feel better.
Duty
Duty is always a categorical imperative. You do it because it is the right thing to do not to avoid consequence).
Duties must be done out of good will (not self-interest
e.g . You see a poor person and can’t stand seeing poverty. So, you give the poor person money.
as compared to
You see a poor person – it really upsets you to see him suffering, so you give him money, so you feel better.
Duties command our behaviour – they are imperatives – morality commands categorically, not hypothetically.
We use our reason to discover what our duty is
We use our Reason to discover what is good and bad
click to edit
The only way to discover morality is through REASON – nothing else (e.g. feelings, consequences).
Teleological theories are wrong as if you focus on the consequence, you are acting out of self-interest.
Only ever use pure REASON
We act from duty (a sense of duty within us). Duty is not something forced upon us.
3 formulations of the categorical imperative
Goodwill
Goodwill is putting the needs of others before the need of your own.
Duties must be done out of good will (not self-interest) – you do it because it is right, not because it benefits you
Example of the Nazi solider in WW2 not acting from his innate duty to act in goodwill - in charge of trains that transported Jewish people to concentration camps, although not directly responsible in the killing he knew he was sending these people to their deaths and did it regardless, not show remorse for his actions.
3 formulations or tests to find out your duty or categorical imperative: The formula of universal law. The formula of humanity. The formula of the kingdom of ends.
Formula of universal law -Moral laws must be universal – applied to everyone.
You can only do something if everyone is capable of doing it if it can be universalised (the moral law applies to everyone).
Formula of Humanity - NEVER treat people as a means to an end - never use people to achieve something.
Always respect others, NEVER bully or take advantage.
click to edit
Formula of Kingdom of Ends Combines the first two formulas: we have to act as though everyone is making universal moral laws and treating others as an end in themselves. Humans are free and autonomous, treating all other human beings as an end in themselves.We are both creators of the moral law and subject to the moral law.
The 3 Postulates
A postulate is an assumption. Kant has 3 postulates of practical reason. Freedom, Immortality (summon bonum) and God
1) Freedom - We must be free to make moral decisions (because we are always making decisions!!!)
“The moral law within me” – we all have a sense of morality, and we all know we have to make decisions
2 ) Immortality (the summon bonum) - life after death. The Summon Bonum is Kant's idea of Heavan. Summon Bonum is a part of Heavan, as something that can only be achieved in the next life.
It is a place where happiness and virtue are combined. The summum bonum is a reward for doing our duty – it is NOT why we do our duty (do our duty out of good will).
3) God -If there is life after death (Heaven), then God must exist. God acts as a judge; he decides whether or not we get our reward – the summum bonum.
Kant states that we know God exists because we use our reason, we do not use divine revelation (e.g., miracles, the Bible).