Kant and Kantian Ethics: Is it possible for “reason” to supply the absolute principles of morality?

Immanuel Kant ( ) Can reason actually discover eternal, absolute ethical principles, principles of universal truth that can be known with rational certainty just reason can guide us to universal truths of mathematics and geometry?

Kantianism is a deontological formalistic moral theory which claims that the right action in any given situation is determined by the Categorical Imperative. –What is a “deontological” moral theory? –What does “formalistic” mean? –What is the “Categorical Imperative”?

What does “Formalistic” mean? Kant's ethics is called formalistic (or formal) because it focuses on the form or structure of a moral judgment. –All moral directives have the prescriptive form "you ought to do X"); they are imperatives. –The fundamental aim of Kant's ethical theory is to determine how a command can be a moral command with a particularly necessary and obligating character.

What is the Categorical Imperative? First, he is arguing that when one acts voluntarily one always acts on a formulizable maxim or rule; One is choosing and judging the moral point of view if and only if one is or would be willing to universalize one’s maxim, that is, if he is or would be willing to see his rule acted on by everyone who is in a situation of a similar kind, even if he himself turns out to be on the receiving end on occasion; and third, that an action is morally if right and/or obligatory if and only if one can consistnetly will that the maxim or rule involved

First Formula: Universal Law: 1. The Formula of Universal Law/Formula of Universal Law of Nature: –"Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law." –"Act as if the maxim of your action were to become through your will a universal law of nature." [p. 30]

Second Formula: Formula of Humanity as An End in Itself: 2. Formula of Humanity [a.k.a. Formula of Humanity as an End in Itself, Formula of the End in Itself]: –"Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of another, always at the same time as an end and never simply as a means." [p. 36]

3 rd Formula: Kingdom of Ends 3. Formula of Autonomy / Formula of the Kingdom of Ends [a.k.a. Formula of the Autonomy of the Will as Universal Legislator]: 3. Formula of Autonomy / Formula of the Kingdom of Ends [a.k.a. Formula of the Autonomy of the Will as Universal Legislator]: –"[Act] from the maxim of such a will as could at the same time have as its object only itself regarded as legislating universal law." / "Act in accordance with the maxims of a member legislating universal laws for a merely possible kingdom of ends." [pp. 39, 43]

What is a deontological moral theory? –A deontological theory claims that the right action is determined by what the agent's duty is. It is a duty-centered theory. –The first task of ethics is to determine what we are obligated to do. –It further claims that one should always do what it is one's duty to do. –By doing our duty, we do what is valuable. –Deontological ethics denies Consequentialism (outcome based models of ethics like “Egoism or “Utilitarianism”): the morally right action is determined by its consequences.

Some Kantian Problems with Consequentialism: 1.No act is right or wrong in itself (no matter how “horrific” or “evil”); 2.We are not morally responsible, autonomous, or free if we naturally seek to produce good consequences. If that is the case, then we are not morally responsible.

Kantian Problems with Consequentialism: 3.Because of various contextual reasons (e.g., education; background; psychology; etc), there is vast disagreement on what “counts” as good consequences. 4.How can we be held responsible for consequences that are often out of our control? We can’t even control the long- range consequences…we don’t even know what they may become? Moreover, where do we draw the line of responsibility?