Deontological ethics

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1. Deontological ethics By Immanuel KAnt

2. About IMMANUEL KANT He was born in 1724 AD. He is one of the most influential philosophers in the history of western philosophy. His nationality was Prussian. One of his major work: The Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals He has contributed to metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and  aesthetics. He died in 1804 AD.

3. Kant’s deontology Deontology: Morality is concerned with doing actions that fulfill one’s moral duty, disinterested in personal gain of any kind. (Immanuel Kant, 1724–1804 AD). Deon means Duty. According to Kant, morals or ethical duties are understood by reason, which everyone has, founded upon one “Categorical Imperative”. Categorical Imperative is also known as Universal Obligation. Morals are universal duties.

4. What is Good will? In Kant's terms, ”a good will is a will whose decisions are wholly determined by moral demands or, as he often refers to this, by the Moral Law”. Example: Helping someone in need to feel happy is regarded as not moral according to Kant, if one does it out of respect for the moral law is considered a good will.

5. What is duty? Example: Suppose you want to help someone with money just because you love them. Is this act has moral worth? Ans: No. For an action to be morally worthy it has to be done out of respect for the moral law or from a sense of duty.

6. Does the given action accord with duty? If yes what is the motive? Self interest From inclination From duty only

7. IMPERATIVES An imperative is a command Hypothetical Imperatives: How we give practical advice Have a conditional, “If X then Y” structure Example: If you want a good grade, then you have to study hard. Such imperatives are grounded in our goals, purposes, or interests There are 2 types of imperatives .

8. Categorical Imperatives: How we give moral advice (or how morality commands us) Have an unconditional, “Do X,” structure For Kant there is only one categorical imperative (though it has 4 formulations) This imperative is grounded in our nature as rational beings, not in our goals, purposes, or interests. In Deontology Categorical Imperative is very important.

9. Three maxims of categorical imperatives “Act only according to that maxim [rule] whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law.” “Act in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether in your own person or in that of any other, never simply as a means, but always at the same time as an end.” “Act so that through your maxims you could be a legislator of universal laws” “every rational being must so act as if he were through his maxim always a legislating member in the universal kingdom of ends.” 

10. CATEGORICAL IMPERATIVES and Humanity law CATEGORICAL IMPERATIVES and universal law CATEGORICAL IMPERATIVES and Autonomy law