Deontology: Duty-Based Ethics

Deontology

• Deontology originates from the Greek word "deon," signifying duty.
• Actions are considered ethical if they adhere to these rules; otherwise, they are not.
• Immanuel Kant, a German philosopher, is closely linked to this ethical theory.
• It posits that actions are inherently right or wrong, irrespective of their consequences.
• Teleological or consequentialist ethics judge actions based on resultant outcomes.
• Ethical egoism and utilitarianism represent consequentialist ethical theories.
• An example is choosing to tell the truth rather than lie because lying is morally wrong, according to a deontologist.
• A consequentialist might choose to tell the truth because lying could erode trust.

Motive and the Good Will

• Kant emphasizes the individual's will in performing a morally upright action.
• "Good Will," is central to ethical action, requiring an intention to do well.
• "Good Will," as the desire to fulfill moral duty, is the appropriate motive for morally acceptable actions.
• Consequences of actions are irrelevant; actions should stem from fulfilling moral duty.
• "Good Will" determines an act's moral value.
• Utilitarianism contrasts sharply by disregarding motive.
• In utilitarianism, actions are wrong if they do not maximize good for the majority, regardless of intentions.
• Kant’s work on personhood exemplifies deontology.
• Kant believed reason defined personhood.
• Personhood leads to rights and obligations due to inherent dignity.
• Dignity establishes a boundary against mistreating others or ourselves.
• Kant asserts that individuals should never be treated merely as a means to an end.

Categorical Imperative and Its Three Formulations

• The Categorical Imperative is central to Kant's ethics, denoting an "absolute command."
• Kant views it as an exceptionless obligation to perform dictated actions.
• Understanding it involves examining Kant's application for morally correct actions.
• Kant suggests a single categorical imperative with three formulations.
• Some ethicists argue these formulations are distinct but necessary for comprehensive understanding and application.

Categorical Imperative – Formulation #1: The Principle of The Law of Nature

• The first formulation, known as The Principle of The Law of Nature, is also called the law of universalizability.
• Morally right actions must consistently apply to everyone.
• Actions should be performed as if they could become a universal law of nature for all in similar circumstances.
• For example, a Kantian must assess if breaking a promise to repay borrowed money could become universal.
• If everyone broke promises, trust would erode, undermining lending and societal good, thus lying is deemed morally wrong.
• Critics suggest Kant verges on consequentialism by considering outcomes to determine universalizability.
• Actions are universalized only for similar circumstances.
• Individuals determine the specificity level of the universal law or "maxim."
• The universal law could be adjusted depending on circumstances such as if the borrower is homeless and starving and unable to repay the loan.
• Such adjustments limit the maxim, making specific actions morally acceptable, thus easing universalization.
• Kant suggests acting as if the maxim of one's action could become a universal law of nature through one's will.

Categorical Imperative – Formulation #2: The Principle of Ends

• The second formulation, the Principle of Ends, states humanity should always be treated as an end, never merely as a means.
• Human beings, including ourselves, should be treated as valuable in and of themselves.
• Intrinsic value arises from rational nature.
• People should be respected, not merely used.
• Merely is important since professors are used as a means to an end to gain knowledge and a degree.
• There is also value in treating them as ends in and of themselves since paying tuition enables them to feed themselves and their families.
• Deceiving, manipulating, or disrespectfully using someone violates the principle of ends.

Categorical Imperative – Formulation #3: The Principle of Autonomy

• The third formulation is the Principle of Autonomy.
• Individuals can use reason to independently determine right and wrong.
• Individuals are responsible for identifying and enacting morally correct actions.
• Kant dismisses "I was only following orders" as an excuse for immoral actions.
• Actions should be performed so that one's will can regard itself as establishing universal law through its maxims.

Deontology (Immanuel Kant’s Ethics)

• Deontology is ethics without metaphysical or religious principles that chooses good based on rationality.
• Rationality is an assumption of goodness.
• Kant says actions should not be motivated by fear of authority, but by reason.
• Reason enables one to know moral commands a priori, known as imperatives.
• Imperatives are commands not from an entity or God.
• As rational beings, it is not possible to go against what the mind dictates.

Foundations of Categorical Imperative

• Pure reason is the base of decisions and not other people.
• Good will assumes that even if people are not good sometimes, there is goodness in everyone since everyone is rational.
• Laws promote common good which rationality follows along with respect for the law.
• Duty is the only motivation and means doing what is right to do.
• Being good is a duty.
• Someone with a proper thought process follows what is right.
• Minds do not follow lies or actions that are incorrect.

Moral Autonomy

• Being moral means acting rightly.
• Duty means inviting to act rightly.
• There are categories and that this has to be universal.
• A universal command can’t have people who are exempt from the law.
• Act according to the maxim that should be followed universally, known as the Principle of Universalizability
• There are four main principles
• The Formula of the Law of Nature indicates actions are only conducted if the maxim can become a universal law
• The Formula of the End itself suggests acting in a way where you treat humanity never simply as a means, but always at the same time as an end.
• The Formula of Autonomy means to “act that your will can regard itself at the same time as making universal law through its maxims."
• The Formula of the Kingdom of Ends indicates acting as if through your maxims a law-making member of a kingdom of ends.
• No person is a means to an end since people are means in themselves and can’t be exploited.

Nature and Freedom

• Being moral should apply to everyone.
• Morality is meant to benefit humanity and ensure respect to everyone.
• Actions to be moral must be applicable to all.
• Laws must be universal and able to use reason.
• Judgement must be objective.
• The action must be moral humanity should be the end goal of the means to action.
• Actions should be rooted in good well and not feelings or personal desires.
• Laws must be based on man’s autonomy.
• Laws create laws based on being rational.
• Use things and love people, rather than love things by using people.