Deontological Ethics PDF

Prepared by: Recris C. Alsola Faculty, Philosophy Department Historical Origins of Deontological Ethics This particular moral theory can be traced back to the early beginning of human civilization, “at a time when the word of the chief, or king, (or God or any other recognized authority for...

Prepared by: Recris C. Alsola Faculty, Philosophy Department Historical Origins of Deontological Ethics This particular moral theory can be traced back to the early beginning of human civilization, “at a time when the word of the chief, or king, (or God or any other recognized authority for that matter) was given unconditionally and without invitation to appeal on the basis of consequences” (Solomon & Greene 1999:19) This kind of theory is sometimes called Deontological (from the Greek root word “dein or deon” meaning “to be obligated,” or simply “duty”). Deontological or Duty ethics, recognizes only those actions that are done out of pure duty as the ones having moral worth. Kant’s Major Contribution to Deontological Theory Immanuel Kant (1724 - 1804) German Philosopher whose comprehensive and systematic work in epistemology, ethics, and aesthetics greatly influenced all subsequent philosophy, especially the various schools of Kantianism and Idealism. Kant is recognized as the most important philosopher who ever lived. The Good Will: The Heart of Kant’s Ethics Kant claims that what makes an act right/good and wrong/bad does not depend on its results or consequences, since all these are simply beyond one’s control----hence a matter of luck or accident. Thus, the consequences of actions are entirely out of hands. For him, morality, as the sole and exclusive domain of rational beings, should be something of which one should have total control. Kant’s ethical philosophy is his primary emphasis on the importance of reason and the unqualified rational nature of moral principles.  This, he believes, can only be achieved by appealing to some universal rational ethical principle-----an ethical principle that is in the form of a “maxim” that guides human actions at all times and in all situations. In Kant, morality is primarily, if not solely, a matter of motive or intention and not a matter of what one can gain or achieve in acting. Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals (published in 1785) This is the heart of Kant’s ethics:  Duty over Inclination The only act that is worthy to be called moral is an act that is done not out of inclination but one that is done out of duty. Thus, to be a good person, In Kant’s view, is to act from a sense of duty alone.  Duty is Superior to Happiness If the consequences of our actions are the ones that give them moral worth, then morality becomes contingent to something outside itself. For Kant, the rightness or wrongness of an act is not determined by its outcomes or results but by its intrinsic value. What is an Imperative? An imperative is a command. Absolutely necessary Required Unavoidable The Categorical Imperative According to Kant, “anytime [we do a certain act] voluntarily, [we] operate under some kind of maxim, rule or directive (Falikowski 2004:314) A maxim is a personal and subjective guiding principle on which we act or behave as contrary to an objective and external principle or rule upon which we should act. Maxims are part and parcel of our daily conduct and behavior, whether we are aware of them or not. The Principle of Universalizability The first formulation of the Categorical Imperative. It states that we must apply the judgements we make to everyone, without exception. The Categorical Imperative tells us that it is morally wrong to act on maxim that we could not will to be a universal law. The main point here is the very motive of action. The Principle of Universalizability Maxims that cannot be universalized or applied to all without exception on a consistent basis are immoral. The Principle of Humanity (Respect for Persons) The second formulation of the Categorical Imperative. Oftentimes referred to as simply the “Principle of Ends.” For Kant, every human being has a supreme worth and profound dignity due to the fact that he is a rational agent. The Principle of Humanity (Respect for Persons) This means that as persons with absolute and unconditional dignity and value, everyone should be treated with utmost respect. People’s worth is something intrinsic. Human dignity is intrinsic in us. It makes us who we are. Kant also explicitly insists we should treat our very selves with respect just like the way we treat others. For Kant, morality covers both the personal as well as the social domains of human existence. The Autonomy of The Will (Kingdom of Ends) An act becomes moral when it is coming from one’s willful respect or reverence to the moral law (doing it for the sake of duty alone. Everyone is equal. Each one’s dignity is glorified. Every person is a noble and valuable subject.