Theory of Formalism

TWO BASIC PHILOSOPHICAL SYSTEMS DEONTOLOGICAL For deontologists, it doesn't matter if the consequences turn out bad, since all that matters is the principle of the thing. TELEOLOGICAL Teleologists are usually guided by the precedent or example that something sets. So, if you're the kind of person who thinks that something is good when a person "means well," "tried their best," or had "good intentions," then you believe it's the inherent nature of the act that matters, and your philosophical beliefs are classified as a DEONTOLOGICAL ethical system.  On the other hand, if you're the kind of person who thinks goodness, badness, rightness, and wrongness reside in the consequences of action, then your belief systems are classified as a TELEOLOGICAL ethical system. 

DEONTOLOGICAL SYSTEMS Something is moral not because of its consequences, but is moral because the motive or intent is "good.“ The clearest example of a deontological ethical system is FORMALISM, developed by the famous philosopher-of-philosophers, Immanuel Kant (1724- 1804).

FORMALISM Kant's approach to ethics begins with an analysis of "ulterior motives.“ Kant then proceeds to analyze the acts of so-called "Good Samaritans" to see why they do good things for complete strangers. "Under what circumstances will people sincerely do good with no expectation of benefit?"  Something could look good, and really be bad; and vice-versa, something could look bad, and really be good. 

FORMALISM Morality is not based on hypothetical imperatives but rather on a categorical imperative. A categorical imperative is something that "commands" action without reference to any purpose or consequence. The leading criticism of Kant's ethical formalism is that it doesn't tell you what to do in cases where there is a clear-cut "conflict of duties." EXAMPLE: If you say to yourself that "I must attend college because a degree will help me in life," then you are still thinking in terms of consequences, and that statement is NOT a categorical imperative.  If you say to yourself that "I must attend college because that is a good thing to do in itself," then you are experiencing a categorical imperative, and doing a "good" and "right" thing.  

KANT’S CATEGORICAL IMPERATIVE Act only on that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law. Act in such a way that you always treat humanity, including yourself and others, as an end in itself, and never as a means to an end. Act as if you were a law-making member of a kingdom of ends. BEHAVE IN SUCH A WAY THAT YOU THINK WOULD IT BE RIGHT FOR EVERYONE TO BEHAVE EVERYONE IS DUE RESPECT BECAUSE THEY ARE PEOPLE. NO OTHER LIVING THING DESERVES THE SAME RESPECT. YOU SHOULD NEVER DISRESPECT PEOPLE, UNDERVALUE PEOPLE, OR USE PEOPLE FOR YOUR OWN NEEDS.

INTRINSIC VALUE Ethical formalism holds that the source and ground of ethical laws contains their value. For Kant, a truly moral action is one that comes from the free will. Ethical action deriving from the will is truly good because it is both free and universal. 1.) Therefore, consequences do not matter. Kant's famous formalist principle is one of the most famous of ethical formalist ideas. 2.) The will is free when no outside influences, such as self-interest, interfere with it. The will in this case is totally free, and therefore totally universal. 3.) Universality becomes the ground of morality because it does not take into consideration any specific interest. It is moral for the sake of being moral. 2.)

INTRINSIC VALUE Kant's famed ethical formalism shows the source of moral action through a will that is totally free from constraint, and hence, necessarily totally universal. All rational human beings are capable of this sort of action. Since this is the source of moral goodness, and all human beings can perform it, then each rational person is the source of moral good. The very concept of universality means that real moral rules must apply to everyone equally.

HOW TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF CATEGORICAL IMPERATIVE Act only on that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law. Act in such a way that you always treat humanity, including yourself and others, never simply as a means but always at the same time as an end. Act as if you were a lawmaking member of a kingdom of ends.

CRITICISMS OF ETHICAL FORMALISM Wording of maxims Critical in ethical formalism and could lead to confusion or abuse It might not apply to extreme circumstances. If an action is wrong, it is always wrong.

CRITICISMS OF ETHICAL FORMALISM It does not provide guidance for resolving conflicting duties. It can be used to justify a position after it has been adopted, but it may give little help in forming a position.

REFERENCES http://www.drtomoconnor.com/3300/3300lect01a.htm http://philosophy.tamu.edu/~sdaniel/Notes/ethics3a.html http://www.ehow.com/info_7742237_ethics-formalism-theory.html http://www.slideshare.net/slm1085/ethics-chapter-2-presentation