Introduction to Kantian Ethics & Duty
Religious Studies: OCR A Level, topic 2.3.1
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Test yourself on Introduction to Kantian Ethics & Duty
What should decisions NOT be based on, according to Kant?