Kantianism/Deontology:Non-Consequentialism

Consequentialism• Ethical Egoism.• Act- & Rule-Utilitarianism.

What act will generate circumstances that are most aligned with my individual interests (egoism) OR what act that will generate the greatest amount of pleasure/happiness for the greatest number (utilitarianism).

The Pleasure of Humiliation

Kantianism (Deontology)

Immanuel Kant (1724-804CE)

Human beings are creatures with reason.

Reason depends on respect for rules.

As creatures with reason, we are “duty bound” to follow logical ethical principles (avoid contradiction).

Deon=duty. To bind.

ImperativesAction X is required.Action X is commanded.

Hypothetical Imperative

In these circumstances….

Under these conditions….

To satisfy this desire….

If you want to earn an A in this class, you must….

When the temperature in your home becomes uncomfortably cold, you will have to…

If want to have dinner with your friends this Friday night, you have to….

Imperatives ContinuedCategorical Imperative

Always….

Never….

Unconditional.Universal.Universalizable.

“Act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time will that it should become universal law.”

In other words, a moral action is revealed via thought experiment: what happens if everyone does what I am contemplating doing?

An Example

You owe a friend $5.You could kill him and avoid paying.

Universalize: “Everyone ought to kill the person he/she is indebted to.”

You could lie.

Universalize: “Everyone ought to lie to the person he/she is indebted to.”

You could steal from someone else to repay.

Universalize: “Everyone ought to steal to in order to pay back those he/she is indebted to.”

Everyone ought to pay his/her debts with the resources he/she rightfully claims ownership of.

Another Example

A very wealthy friend loans you $1 for a lottery ticket on your promise to share half the winnings.

Winning ticket: $1million.

Should you keep your promise?

Doing the Right thing for the Right Reason

“Good will.”

Too much courage becomes….

Too much generosity becomes…..

Too much sympathy becomes….

Too much good will becomes…

Attempt to save the child because it is your duty.

Attempt to save the child because his parents are wealthy and will reward you.

Attempt to save the child because you pity his cries for help and would feel guilty if you didn’t at least attempt to help.

Who’s more moral?Heidi frequently makes personal sacrifices to help other people who are in need. Even though emotionally she tends to be cold and indifferent to the needs of others, she knows that it is her moral duty to help others when she can.

Kendra frequently makes personal sacrifices to help other people who are in need. She has a cheerful, compassionate disposition, and it makes her feel alive to do something good for someone else. Because helping others is second nature to her, it never occurs to her to consider it a moral obligation.

Universalizable?Never say “I love you” so someone unless that person says it first.

Always pay your debts on time.

When running a business, always charge less for your product that the competitor.

Never cheat on a test.

Never help someone unless you get something in return.

Share some of your wealth with those less fortunate.

Give all your money to those who have less than you do.

Cheat on your tests whenever possible.

Practical Imperative

Humans are the source of values in the world—no humans, no values, no worth.

Therefore, humans are the necessary condition of worth.

As a necessary condition of worth, humans are worthy (i.e. possess dignity)

Therefore, they have intrinsic not instrumental value.

“Act so that you treat humanity, whether in your own person, or in that of another, always as an end and never as a means only.”

Implications?

Consequences are morally irrelevant.

Actions have intrinsic value because they conform to logical principles.

Ethics is rooted in logic and reason rather than empathy and feeling (Cat. Imp. is NOT the Golden Rule).

Problem: What if Duties Conflict?“I take you to be my (wife/husband), to have and behold from this day on, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; until death do us part.”

What if….

The partner no longer loves you or upholds his/her vow?

You no longer love your partner?

Always be honest.Always keep promises.