Transcript Different cultures express different moral codes of conduct.

LO: I will know about Kant’s view of human
nature and the two realms of human existence
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Use handout from Taylor. Read through some
scenarios and discuss questions.
Key question: What’s the
main factor involved in
this action? Is it INTENT or
OUTCOME?
What if a good deed becomes
tangled with a dubious
intention or a bad outcome?
Is the action still good?
E.g. Dubious intention: Help the
old lady to cross the road
because you want to look good
and virtuous to others rather
than help the old lady
Bad outcome: Help the old lady
cross the road so you can run
off with her purse afterwards
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For Kant, acting purely from emotion or
outcome was not sufficient on its own to
deem the action a good one.
Kant therefore focussed on intent, or
motive when judging an action right or
wrong.
What about dubious intent? Kant did not
solely focus on intent on its own …
◦ Kant believed that all men possess REASON and a
CONSCIENCE, which makes it possible for all people
to arrive at an understanding of moral truths
independent of experience. For him, morality is a
priori, not a posteriori, and because reason is
universal, then moral reasoning leads to the same
results over and over again.
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Socratic slides 4 (Kant’s view of human
nature) and 5 (Two realms: Noumenal and
Phenomenal)
https://learning.watfordboys.herts.sch.uk/course/view.php?id=254 (copy &
paste)
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In pairs, come up with an interview outlining
Kant’s thinking of human nature and the two
realms of human existence.
Some will be selected to present to the class
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Animals are interested in desire and
inclinations only
God/angels use reason
Humans have a tension between reason and
desires
Noumenal realm – permanent/rational
Phenomenal realm – changing/appetites
driven
Humans have access to both realms
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“All men seek happiness. This is without exception.
Whatever different means they employ, they all
tend to this end. The cause of some going to war,
and of others avoiding it, is the same desire in
both, attending with different views. The will never
takes the least step but to this object. This is the
motive of every action of every man, even of those
who hang themselves.” Blaise Pascal
We are by nature hedonists. Is this true? How would
Kant respond?
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Read handout. Answer Q 1 and 2 for
Thursday.
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What is Kant’s view of human nature?
What are the two realms of human
existence?