Kantianism/Deontology:
Non-Consequentialism
Consequentialism
• Ethical Egoism.
• Act- & Rule-Utilitarianism.
What act will generate
circumstances that are most
aligned with my individual
interests (egoism) OR what act
that will generate the greatest
amount of pleasure/happiness
for the greatest number
(utilitarianism).
The Pleasure of Humiliation
Kantianism (Deontology)
Immanuel Kant (1724-804CE)
Human beings are creatures with
reason.
Reason depends on respect for
rules.
As creatures with reason, we are
“duty bound” to follow logical
ethical principles (avoid
contradiction).
Deon=duty. To bind.
Imperatives
Action X is required.
Action X is commanded.
If you want to earn an A in this
class, you must….
Hypothetical Imperative
When the temperature in your
home becomes uncomfortably
cold, you will have to…
In these circumstances….
Under these conditions….
To satisfy this desire….
If want to have dinner with
your friends this Friday night,
you have to….
Imperatives Continued
Categorical Imperative
Always….
Never….
Unconditional.
Universal.
Universalizable.
“Act only according to that
maxim by which you can at
the same time will that it
should become universal
law.”
In other words, a moral
action is revealed via
thought experiment: what
happens if everyone does
what I am contemplating
doing?
An Example
You owe a friend $5.
You could kill him and
avoid paying.
“Everyone
ought to kill the person
he/she is indebted to.”
You could lie.
“Everyone ought to
lie to the person
he/she is indebted
to.”
You could steal from
someone else to repay.
“Everyone
ought to steal to in order to
pay back those he/she is
indebted to.”
Another Example
A very wealthy friend
loans you $1 for a lottery
ticket on your promise to
share half the winnings.
Winning ticket: $1million.
Should you keep your
promise?
Doing the Right thing for the Right Reason
“Good will.”
Too much courage becomes….
Too much generosity becomes…..
Too much sympathy becomes….
Too much good will becomes…
Attempt to save the child because it
is your duty.
Attempt to save the child because
his parents are wealthy and will
reward you.
Attempt to save the child because
you pity his cries for help and would
feel guilty if you didn’t at least
attempt to help.
Who’s more moral?
Heidi frequently makes personal
sacrifices to help other people
who are in need. Even though
emotionally she tends to be
cold and indifferent to the
needs of others, she knows that
it is her moral duty to help
others when she can.
Kendra frequently makes
personal sacrifices to help other
people who are in need. She has
a cheerful, compassionate
disposition, and it makes her feel
alive to do something good for
someone else. Because helping
others is second nature to her, it
never occurs to her to consider it
a moral obligation.
Universalizable?
Never say “I love you” so
someone unless that person
says it first.
Always pay your debts on time.
When running a business,
always charge less for your
product that the competitor.
Never cheat on a test.
Never help someone unless
you get something in return.
Share some of your wealth
with those less fortunate.
Give all your money to those
who have less than you do.
Cheat on your tests whenever
possible.
Practical Imperative
Humans are the source of values in
the world—no humans, no values,
no worth.
Therefore, humans are the necessary
condition of worth.
As a necessary condition of worth,
humans are worthy (i.e. possess
dignity)
Therefore, they have intrinsic not
instrumental value.
“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.”
Implications?
Consequences are morally
irrelevant.
Actions have intrinsic value
because they conform to logical
principles.
Ethics is rooted in logic and
reason rather than empathy and
feeling (Cat. Imp. is NOT the
Golden Rule).
Problem: What if Duties Conflict?
“I take you to be my
(wife/husband), to have and
behold from this day on, for
better or for worse, for richer,
for poorer, in sickness and in
health, to love and to cherish;
until death do us part.”
What if….
The partner no longer
loves you or upholds
his/her vow?
You no longer love your
partner?
Always be honest.
Always keep promises.