Transcript Slides - stevewatson.info

Kantian Ethics
Types of Theory
Types of Theory

Teleological
The consequence of the moral act is the important thing
Types of Theory

Teleological
The consequence of the moral act is the important thing

Deontological
Rightness is determined by some moral value in the act itself
The Inquisitive Murderer
The Inquisitive Murderer

Should you tell an intending murderer where his
victim-to-be is hiding?
The Inquisitive Murderer

Should you tell an intending murderer where his
victim-to-be is hiding?

Most people say no.
The Inquisitive Murderer

Should you tell an intending murderer where his
victim-to-be is hiding?
Most people say no.
 Kant says it’s always wrong to lie.

Duty
Duty

Fundamental ethical concept is Obligation
Duty


Fundamental ethical concept is Obligation
Expressed in imperatives using ought
Imperatives
Imperatives

Hypothetical
If you want X then you ought to do Y
Imperatives


Hypothetical
If you want X then you ought to do Y
Categorical
You ought to do Y
The Categorical Imperative
Act only according to that maxim by which you
can at the same time will that it should become a
universal law
Problems
Problems

The indeterminacy of maxims
There are many ways to describe an action we
propose to take
Problems


The indeterminacy of maxims
There are many ways to describe an action we
propose to take
The plurality of duties
If duties do conflict then there can’t be a single rule
Problems



The indeterminacy of maxims
There are many ways to describe an action we
propose to take
The plurality of duties
If duties do conflict then there can’t be a single rule
The underdetermination of duties
This rule produces an excess of possible duties
Value
Value

Instead of duty consider the innate worth of
persons
Statements of Ends
Statements of Ends

Conditional Value
X is valued as a means to an end Y
Statements of Ends

Conditional Value
X is valued as a means to an end Y

Unconditional Value
X (a person) is valued for itself
The Principle of Ends
Act so that you treat humanity, whether in your
own person or in that of another, always as an
end and never as a means only
Problems
Problems

The value of rationality

How does rationality create value?
Problems

The value of rationality
How does rationality create value?
 Why think rationality is unconditionally valuable?

Problems

The value of rationality
How does rationality create value?
 Why think rationality is unconditionally valuable?
 What about animals and imbeciles?
