Kantian Ethics

Key Texts

Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals by Immanuel Kant 

Context

• Kantian ethics are a form of deontological ethics

• Is says that right action is one that we would be able to universalise and that is acted out of a sense of duty or a good will alone

Immanuel Kant’s Kantian Ethics

Kant argued that the most important aspect of ethics was a good will and thus we should do the right thing not because it makes us feel good but because it is our duty to do so

• • Kant put forward the Categorical Imperative which is an imperative which should be obeyed at all times (as opposed to a hypothetical imperative which you only obey if you want something)

  • Kant put forward three formulations of the Categorical Imperative:

    • • Universability: This states that you should act accord to rules that you would want everyone to follow always

      • Human Ends: This states that we should treat people as an ‘end’ in themselves and never as a means to an end

      • The Kingdom of Ends: This states that we should act as if we live in an ideal society where everyone followed the Categorical Imperative

Strengths

Kant provides a clear and convincing example of the Categorical Imperative which supports his ethical theory 

• • • Kant argues that allowing lying in one situation breaks the ability to trust anyone ever as they could always be lying 

    • This shows why consequentialism fails It avoids the problems of utilitarianism which can treat a minority unfairly 

    • The Categorical Imperative ensures that a minority cannot be taken advantage because of two reasons: 

      • The first formulation of the Categorical imperative as being “universiable” means that you must act in a way that everyone agrees is right (including the minority) 

      • The second formulation states that people are not to be used as means to ends 

There is something right in the Kant’s ideas of Human Worth 

• • • Kant sees humans beings as intrinsically valuable which is something modern society would agree with 

    • Arguable, it ideas are the same as the ideas that form the basis of the Declaration of Human Rights 

Lastly, it is in-keeping with Christian values and so religious people should also approve of it 

• • • The Categorical Imperative is also remarkably similar to the Golden rule as both emphasise the idea that there are fixed absolute rules to follow from God and also that they must be universaliable

Weaknesses

• Peter Singer: Removes sympathy and compassion from ethics. 

• Singer argues that ethics are rooted in our emotions, and that by focusing only on ‘doing your duty’, Kantian ethics ignore our reasons for being ethical in the first place.

• Singer sees this as dangerous. He argues that the idea of duty can lead to ‘moral fanaticism’, in which people care more about following rules than about the welfare of others. Ignores the importance of consequences.

• By insisting that the consequences of our actions should play no part in our moral decision-making, Kant goes against the way in which most people think about ethics.

• Kant’s insistence that we must always tell the truth, whatever the situation, leads to the conclusion that we must not lie to an axe-wielding murderer. Simon Blackburn: Are there fixed moral truths? 

• Kant thinks we cannot rationally universalise the rule to not pay back loans because it would lead to a breakdown in institution of making loans. 

• However, whether people care about this institution breaking down is a matter of subjective opinion, not objective fact.

Possible Exam Questions PEQs

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