Kant's Deontology

Immanuel Kant

• Deontology is an ethical theory in which the intention behind an action is more important than its consequences
• The only thing that is good without qualification is a good will
• A good will acts according to moral duty
• Moral actions are aimed at fulfilling duty rather than achieving happiness
• Duty necessitates acting out of reverence for universal moral law
• Duty is determined by the rational application of the categorical imperative and is not based on subjective inclinations
• Maxims are principles of action that individuals follow when making moral decisions and must be universalizable to be morally sound
• Practical reason determines the will through the application of moral principles and discerns duties
• Autonomy regulates the will, frees it from external influences, and enables action according to rational moral laws
• The categorical imperative is a foundational aspect of Kant's moral philosophy
• People should only act according to maxims that they could will to become universal laws
• The Formula of Universal Law requires that actions be universalizable
• The Formula of the End in Itself says that one must treat humanity as an end and never as a means

Aristotle

• Ethics and politics are linked because politics practically applies ethical principles
• Virtue ethics emphasizes virtues and moral character, not duties/rules or consequences of actions
• Eudaimonia, often translated as 'flourishing' or 'happiness', is the highest human good
• Teleology studies purposes or goals in natural processes
• All human actions aim at some end that reflects some value, according to ethics
• For Aristotle, happiness, or eudaimonia, is the ultimate goal and is achieved through virtue and rational activity
• Teleology refers to the purpose or goal of something, with ethics aiming at some good
• Phronesis is practical wisdom, it allows people to decide what is advantageous at the right time
• Virtue is a mean between two vices, involving excess and deficiency, relative to individuals and circumstances
• Specific virtues include courage, generosity, temperance, pride, and honesty, each representing a balance

Virginia Held

• Ethics of care is a normative ethical theory
• It emphasizes interpersonal relationships and care or benevolence as virtues
• Relational ethics values interpersonal relationships and the roles of emotions and empathy in moral reasoning
• Interconnectedness highlights the interdependent nature of human relationships
• Caring relationships feature personal attachment and responsibility and should form the foundation of ethical consideration

Ruth Benedict

• Cultural relativism states that different cultures have different moral codes
• There is no universal truth in morality because morality is relative to the cultural context
• Morality involves practices that conform to the normative expectations of a society
• Societal norms involve accepted behaviors/beliefs, forming the basis for what is considered morally good

James Rachels

• Ethical skepticism doubts the possibility of absolute moral truth and questions the objectivity of moral principles
• Objectivity in ethics argues for objective standards in ethics despite cultural differences
• Some moral truths can be universally valid
• Cultural diversity refers to the variety of moral systems across different cultures

John Stuart Mill

• Utilitarianism advocates for actions that maximize utility
• Utility is defined as producing the greatest well-being for the greatest number of people
• Consequentialism says that judging the morality of an action should be on its consequences alone
• Higher pleasures are refined, intellectual pleasures
• Lower pleasures are simpler, bodily pleasures
• Higher pleasures are more valuable
• Happiness is the ultimate end and measure of what is morally right, equating to pleasure and the absence of pain
• Pleasure is the primary component of happiness

Explore Kant's deontology, an ethical theory valuing intention over consequences. A good will, acting from duty and universal moral law, is central. The categorical imperative guides moral actions, emphasizing universalizable maxims and autonomy.