Kantian Ethics Overview

10 Questions

What is the determining factor of the righteousness of a human conduct?

The motive behind the act

What type of ethical theory suggests that actions are good or bad according to a clear set of rules?

Deontological ethics

Which ethical theory focuses solely on the consequences of an action to determine its morality?

Consequentialism

According to Immanuel Kant, how should one live a moral life?

By living in accordance with the laws or reason

What kind of duties must always be observed regardless of any given circumstance?

Perfect duties

Which philosopher is associated with the concept of utilitarianism, which seeks to maximize overall happiness and well-being?

John Stuart Mill

What is the sole gauge to measure the motive or will to be good?

Duty

Which ethical theory is associated with the idea that actions should be judged based on their ability to promote the greatest good for the greatest number of people?

Utilitarianism

What did St. Thomas Aquinas primarily focus on in his ethical philosophy?

The virtues and character traits that enable human flourishing

Which ethical theory judges the morality of an action based on the adherence to rules or duties, regardless of the consequences?

Deontological ethics

Study Notes

Imperfect Duties

Imperfect duties promote or pursue certain actions, with rightness or wrongness depending on fulfilling duties, not consequences.
Based on Kantian Ethics, which believes in morality rooted in human autonomy and rational nature.

Prima Facie Duties (William David Ross)

Conditional duties, not absolute duties.
7 prima facie duties:
- Duties of fidelity (keeping promises)
- Duties of reparation (rectifying wrongs done to others)
- Duties of gratitude (repaying debts of gratitude)
- Duties of beneficence (doing good to others)
- Duties of nonmaleficence (not doing harm to others)
- Duties of justice (according appreciation, personal merit, or acknowledgments)
- Duties of self-improvement (improving oneself)

Teleological Ethics

Derived from Greek word "telos," meaning "end" or purpose.
Moral obligation comes from what is considered good or desirable.
Includes consequentialism or utilitarian ethics.

Rule Utilitarianism (Jeremy Bentham)

Human persons should act to produce the greatest happiness for the most number of people.
Believes nature demands humans be moral, subject to pain and pleasure.
Classifications of Benthamian Utilitarianism:
- Psychological hedonism (man seeks pleasure and avoids pain)
- Egoistic hedonism (man seeks own pleasure, even if it causes others' deprivation)

Sanctions (Bentham)

Four types of sanctions:
- Physical (keeping sensual pleasures within moral bounds)
- Political (laws restricting overindulgence)
- Moral (public opinion and ridicule)
- Religious (beliefs in afterlife and God)

John Stuart Mill's Utilitarianism

Some pleasures are more valuable than others.
Emphasizes qualitative value of pleasure over quantitative value.
Happiness is the fundamental principle of morality and source of moral obligation.

Virtue Ethics

Focuses on moral character of the moral agent.
Character, rather than consequences, is the focal point.
A morally good person with right desires or motives is more likely to understand what should be done.

Core Values of Professional Nursing

Recognition of human beings' worth and respect due to their humanity.
Healthcare ethics sets standards for healthcare professionals in relation to healthcare delivery.

Deontological Ethics

Derived from Greek word "Deon," meaning "duty."
Actions are good or bad according to a clear set of rules.
Duty-based morality; consequences are irrelevant to ethical status.
Immanuel Kant: good will, motive, and duty are essential for moral living.