Philosophy – Kant Deontological Ethics Moral Duty – 3AS – Lettres

Kant Deontological Ethics Moral Duty

Concept of Duty

Moral action is done from duty not inclination. Duty is a necessity arising from respect for the moral law.

Categorical Imperative

Hypothetical: conditional on a goal. Categorical: unconditional. Act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law. Treat humanity always as an end never merely as a means.

Critique

Strengths: human dignity fixed moral standard. Weaknesses: too rigid ignores emotions.

Exercises

1) Difference between hypothetical and categorical? 2) Explain the first formula. 3) Is morality absolute or relative?

See Moral Problem and Problem of Values.