2.3.1

Introduction to Kantian Ethics & Duty

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Kant's Deontological Theory on Duty

Immanuel Kant looked at moral statements and how we use them. His deontological theory looks at how an action brings about a duty as opposed to utilitarianism, which is consequence-focussed.

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The importance of reason

  • Kant felt reason played a big part in how humans make moral decisions. So he centred his theory on the idea of reasoning from goodwill and duty.
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Moral vs everyday statements

  • Kant thought moral statements were different from everyday statements.
    • Moral statements are a priori synthetic as they can be understood without any experience, but followed up and evidenced with experience.
    • Everyday statements are most typically known through a person's experience and then verified by the experience of that person using this evidence to support the statement.
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Kant's theory on good will

  • Kant focussed on the idea of goodwill and its relationship with duty.
  • Kant thought that an action would only be a good action if the person acted from good will.
    • For example, an action would not be deemed good if it was done to make somebody feel or look good.
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Kant's definition of duty

  • Kant’s definition of duty is to act morally and follow the rules that have been set out for you.
  • When you combine good will and duty, you get a moral action.
  • Kant’s former statements on reason come into play here. Kant felt every decision should be made by reason; based on the good will and the duty you have.
  • A decision should not be based on feelings or personal opinions. It should simply be based upon reasoning conforming to goodwill and duty.

Jump to other topics

1Philosophy of Religion

1.1Ancient Philosophical Influences: Plato

1.2Ancient Philosophical Influences: Aristotle

1.3Ancient Philosophical Influences: Soul, Mind, Body

1.4The Existence of God - Arguments from Observation

1.5The Existence of God - Arguments from Reason

1.6Religious Experience

1.7The Problem of Evil

1.8The Nature & Attributes of God

1.9Religious Language: Negative, Analogical, Symbolic

1.10Religious Language: 20th Century Perspective

2Religion & Ethics

3Developments in Christian Thought

3.1Saint Augustine's Teachings

3.2Death & the Afterlife

3.3Knowledge of God's Existence

3.4The Person of Jesus Christ

3.5Christian Moral Principles

3.6Christian Moral Action

3.7Development - Pluralism & Theology

3.8Development - Pluralism & Society

3.9Gender & Society

3.10Gender & Theology

3.11Challenges

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