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Kant

Kant developed a deontological moral theory based on universal moral laws that can be determined through human reason. He believed that morality exists independently of human experiences and desires. The Categorical Imperative lays out three tests - the universal law principle, treating humanity as an end, and the kingdom of ends - to determine if a moral maxim should be followed. For Kant, morality stems from duty rather than happiness.

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66 views

Kant

Kant developed a deontological moral theory based on universal moral laws that can be determined through human reason. He believed that morality exists independently of human experiences and desires. The Categorical Imperative lays out three tests - the universal law principle, treating humanity as an end, and the kingdom of ends - to determine if a moral maxim should be followed. For Kant, morality stems from duty rather than happiness.

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Donna Mendoza Comia
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IMMANUEL

KANT
MORAL THEORY
IMMANUEL KANT
a German philosopher
was the 18th century's greatest
philosopher
TRANSCENDENTAL IDEALISM
Kant’s theory that humans construct knowledge by
imposing universal concepts onto sensory
experiences.

the view that concepts or ideals

beauty and justice,

opposed to relativism
KEYPOINT
Kant’s morality is based on firm
belief that morality exists
universally; it is independent of
human experience.
EMPIRICISM
the idea that knowledge can only be gained by
experiences of the material world.
Kant rejected the idea of happiness or
contentment as the basis of morality.
Morality is more important than the selfish
desire for personal happiness.
Happiness as the basis for morality is that it is
based on feelings and desires and that it is
subjective
Moral knowledge comes through the power of
human reason and rational debate.
All human beings have the ability to argue
rationally.
Kant believed that human beings are not by
nature moral creatures.

Happiness as the basis for morality is that it is


based on feelings and desires and that it is
subjective
KEYPOINT
Whether you are a king or a
commoner, you are under the
same moral law. All human
beings are morally equal and
each person must determine
rationally his moral framework.
MORAL LAWS
universal moral laws which are created by God.

cannot be known through direct revelation

Kant believed that human reason has the ability


to uncover them.

This discovery starts with a series of maxims.


CATEGORATIVE IMPERICAL
commands or moral laws all persons must
follow, regardless of their desires or
extenuating circumstances.

expresses an absolute command

‘Do not be late’


CATEGORICAL IMPERATIVE
The Categorical Imperative has three tests that
show whether a moral maxim is to be accepted
as a universal law. These tests are:

the universal law principle

the principle of humanity as an end not a means

the principle of the universal kingdom of ends


KEYPOINT
The Categorical Imperative lays
down the moral maxims that
should be follwed in life.
Act only on that maxim whereby which you can at
the same time will that it become a universal law.
(Immanuel Kant, Groundwork for the Metaphysics
of Morals, Broadview Press Ltd, 2005)
THE UNIVERSAL LAW PRINCIPLE
when making moral decisions no one should do
anything that he or she would not accept as a
universal law for everyone in every situation.

Kant gave examples from life of maxims that


should be seen as moral laws.
THE UNIVERSAL LAW PRINCIPLE
Suicide:

Kant argued that there is a universal law that


suicide is always wrong.

Telling lies:
He argued that it is never morally acceptable to lie.
However, you might decide that it is morally right to
lie in a particular situation.
EXAMPLE:
Imagine that you are walking down a
street. A man passes you and turns left
at the junction ahead. A minute later
another man brandishing a gun also
passes you. He stops and asks which
way the first man went. What do you do?
THE PRINCIPLE OF HUMANITY
AS AN END NOT A MEANS
You must not use others in pursuit of an ethical
end.

Kant noted the illogical nature of projects that


use people in pursuit of the general good.
It refers not only to other people but also to the moral agent.
Kant regarded self-worth as important.
So act as to treat humanity, whether in your own
person or in that of any other, in every case at the
same time as an end, never as a means only,
(Immanuel Kant, Groundwork for the Metaphysics
of Morals)
THE PRINCIPLE OF THE
UNIVERSAL KINGDOM OF ENDS
Kant wants to achieve a state of affairs where
conflict is removed and all human beings
realize their common aims.
a state of affairs in which all members of a
Society desire the same good;
a society that the moral laws are designed to achieve.
Act according to the maxims of a member of a
merely possible kingdom of ends legislating in it
universally. (Immanuel Kant, Groundwork for the
Metaphysics of Morals)
HYPOTHETICAL IMPERATIVE
refers to commands that ought to be obeyed to
achieve a certain aim.
is concerned with moral ends.

is conditional on the practality of the aim

It may be that the moral agent decides that the


moral aim is not feasible
EXAMPLE:
For example, the moral aim might be the
elimination of poverty in Africa. This
might be achieved, or certainly helped,
by cancelling the huge debts that some
African Key term countries owe.
DEONTOLOGY
Kant’s deontological philosophy stemmed from
his belief that humans possess the ability to
reason and understand universal moral laws
that they can apply in all situations.
derives from the Greek deon, which refers to
that which is duty

It is a system of morality based on duty.


EXAMPLE:
The caretaker who dedicates ten years of
their life to care for a sick and paralyzed
parent or the soldier who risks their life for
their country. Both act from a sense of duty.
Kant argued that this sense of moral duty
can be converted into a series of universal
moral laws that all human beings ought to
follow.
DEONTOLOGY
.. a wretched man... longs for death and still
preserves his life without loving it — not from
inclination or fear but from duty. (Immanuel
Kant, The Moral Law: Ground work of the
Metaphysics of Morals, Taylor & Francis, 2005)

This is extreme duty. It is done at a cost to self, It rejects


happiness as a basis for moral decision-making.
DEONTOLOGY
The strengths of Kant’s deontological morality
are that it takes account of the responsibility
that we have to others and it recognizes the
universality of morality.
DEONTOLOGY
The strengths of Kant’s deontological morality
are that it takes account of the responsibility
that we have to others and it recognizes the
universality of morality.
Kant’s ethical position is duty based,
deontological.

like the duty to preserve your life:


EXAMPLE:
Imagine you are a young man or woman with
a partner and a young baby. One day you are
walking along the street and you see
someone being attacked. You recognize the
attacker as a criminal who the police have
warned the general public not to approach,
What do you do?
THANK
YOU

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