THE PRINCIPLE OF RIGHT

AND VIRTUE

The Kantian Ethics

IMMANUEL KANT

German philosopher
Immanuel Kant (17241804),
An opponent of
utilitarianism.

KANTIAN ETHICS (DUTY

ETHICS)

Highest Good =
Good in itself + Good without
qualifications

KANTIAN ETHICS (DUTY

ETHICS)

Good in itself = If it is intrinsically

(naturally) good
Good without qualifications = when
the addition of that thing never
makes a situation ethically worse

KANTIAN ETHICS (DUTY

ETHICS)

Example: Pleasure
Appears NOT to be good without
qualification, because when people
take pleasure in watching someone
suffering, this seems to make the
situation ethically worse.

KANTIAN ETHICS (DUTY

ETHICS)

Nothing in the worldindeed

nothing even beyond the world
can possibly be conceived which
could be called good without
qualification except a good will

KANTIAN ETHICS (DUTY

ETHICS)

What is it for a will to be good?

KANTIAN ETHICS (DUTY

ETHICS)

A good will is not good because of

what it effects or accomplishes
because of its fitness for attaining
some proposed end: it is good
through its willing alone that is,
good in itself

KANTIAN ETHICS (DUTY

ETHICS)

If by its utmost effort it still

accomplishes nothing and only good
will is left (not admittedly as a mere
wish, but as the straining of every
means so far as they are in our
control); even then it would still shine
like a jewel for its own sake as
something which has its full value in
itself.

KANTIAN ETHICS (DUTY

ETHICS)

Good intention = Good will

KANTIAN ETHICS (DUTY

ETHICS)

The Means justify the Ends

KANTIAN ETHICS (DUTY

ETHICS)

Example:
EXAMS

KANTIAN ETHICS (DUTY

ETHICS)

What makes a will good is its

conformity with the moral law, which
Kant called the
Categorical Imperative

KANTIAN ETHICS (DUTY

ETHICS)

Hypothetical Imperatives: tells us what we

should do, given that certain other conditions
are satisfied

If you want to go to medical school,

study biology in college. - If you dont want
to go to medical school, this command doesnt
apply to you.

"if you are hungry, then go eat

something!" - if you aren't hungry, then you
are free to ignore the command.

KANTIAN ETHICS (DUTY

ETHICS)

Categorical Imperatives: These

command unconditionally.
Dont cheat on your taxes.
Even if you want to cheat and doing
so would serve your interests, you
may not cheat.

KANTIAN ETHICS (DUTY

ETHICS)

Morality x Categorical Imperative

Morality must be based on the
categorical imperative because
morality is such that you are
commanded by it, and is such that you
cannot opt out of it or claim that it
does not apply to you.

KANTIAN ETHICS (DUTY

ETHICS)

Kant's three significant formulations

of the categorical imperative:
1. Act only according to that maxim
by which you can also will that it
would become a universal law.

KANTIAN ETHICS (DUTY

ETHICS)

2. Act in such a way that you always treat

humanity, whether in your own person or in
the person of any other, never simply as a
means, but always at the same time as an
end.
3. Every rational being must so act as if he
were through his maxim always a legislating
member in a universal kingdom of ends

KANTIAN ETHICS (DUTY

ETHICS)

A moral theory that says people owe moral

duties that are based on universal rules.
Based on the premise that people can use
reasoning to reach ethical decisions.
This theory would have people behave
according to the categorical imperative:
Do unto others as you would have them do unto
you.

KANTIAN ETHICS (DUTY

ETHICS)

(CONTINUED)

Thus, if you are going to make an

exception for yourself, that exception
becomes a universal rule that applies to
all others.

RAWLSS SOCIAL JUSTICE

THEORY

Political Philosopher
John Rawls
(1921 2002)

RAWLSS SOCIAL JUSTICE

THEORY

Rawlss Distributive Justice Theory

Fairness is considered the essence of
justice.

RAWLSS SOCIAL JUSTICE

THEORY

Rawlss social contract

A moral theory that says each person is
presumed to have entered into a social
contract, with all others in society, to obey
moral rules that are necessary for people to
live in peace and harmony.

RAWLSS SOCIAL JUSTICE

THEORY

The principles of justice should be

chosen by persons who do not yet
know their station in society. (Original
Position)

RAWLSS SOCIAL JUSTICE

THEORY

The Original Position, through veil

of ignorance would permit the
fairest possible principles to be
selected.

RAWLSS SOCIAL JUSTICE

THEORY

Original Position x Veil of

Ignorance

RAWLSS SOCIAL JUSTICE

THEORY

The First Principle of Justice

Each person is to have an equal right
to the most extensive basic liberty
compatible with a similar liberty for
others

RAWLSS SOCIAL JUSTICE

THEORY

The Second Principle of Justice

Social and economic inequalities are
to be arranged so that:

RAWLSS SOCIAL JUSTICE

THEORY

(a) they are to be of the greatest benefit to

the least-advantaged members of society,
consistent with the just savings principle
(the difference principle).
(b) offices and positions must be open to
everyone under conditions offair equality
of opportunity

RAWLSS SOCIAL JUSTICE

THEORY

There are two major criticisms of this

theory:
1. Establishing the blind original position

for choosing moral principles is

impossible in the real world.
2. Many persons in society would choose

not to maximize the benefit to the least

advantaged persons in society.