Kant and Moral Duties

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Kant and Moral Duties
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What do Moral Theories Offer?

• We dont require moral theory(ies) to tell us
  that lying and homicide are wrong, and helping
  those in need is a good thing to do
• The theory(ies) explain WHY these things are
  right and wrong, and give me REASONS for
  believing them so
• Moral theory(ies) also help illuminate grey
  areas, clarify difficult problems, or resolve
  conflicts that arise

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What are the Characteristics of a Good Moral
(Normative) Theory?

• Clear and unequivocal tell us what actions are
  right (or wrong)
• Reliable offers straightforward answers in a
  wide variety of situations and is able to resolve
  conflicts when they arise
• Comprehensive covers not only individual
  actions, but social and political practices,
  institutions, and policies

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Characteristics of a Good Moral Theory (Continued)

• Psychologically realistic doesnt depend on
  false assumptions about what people are like
• Yields predictable results in familiar situations
  
• Is not wildly at odds with our habits,
  intuitions, and customary responses to ordinary
  problems

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Utilitarianism (review)

• The Principle of Utility (GHP) is a good example
  of most of these provisions
• Gives clear answers, helps resolve many problems,
  explains and justifies our intuitions
• But the Omelas story, or shoot the prisoners
  dilemma, illustrate issues (like justice,
  fairness, and rights) which are not sufficiently
  addressed

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Kants Contrasting Strategy

• Morality seems to consist in various law-like
  principles, obligations, that limit our freedom
• I want (desire) versus I ought (duty)
• Kant will show, however, that these moral duties
  issue from our truly impartial rational desires,
  and so are expressions of our freedom (Laws of
  Freedom)
• The Morally Good Will (person of good
  character, integrity) is one who recognizes the
  moral law as his/her own self-imposed limitations
  on individual freedom for the sake of empowering
  the freedom of all
• Human beings have moral dignity because of this
  power of reason to regulate their behavior
  unlike mere animals, we dont just have desires
  or impulses and act on them, we also have
  AUTONOMY (the capacity for self-governance)
• Morality is an expression of that autonomy, it is
  self-governance

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Kant, Part I the Supreme Principle of Morality

• If we ask for the essential characteristic
  defining moral goodness or worth, we find
• An action has moral worth if it conforms to the
  requirements of duty, and is done for the sake of
  duty (and not for some other motive) and
• A person is morally good (good will) if he or
  she can be counted on to do his/her duty,
  motivated solely by a respect or reverence for
  the moral law (rather than consideration of some
  other, variable principle).

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Some Notes on this Conclusion

• NOTE (1) This does NOT mean that someone who
  does the right thing for the wrong reasons is
  acting wrongly, only that their action is not
  praiseworthy. It merely means they get no extra
  credit.
• NOTE (2) Kant allows that this confluence of
  actions and personal motivations is unusual. He
  wonders whether, on these criteria, there has
  ever been a truly morally good will in the
  world.
• NOTE (3) Our duty presents itself to us in the
  form of imperatives (commands) that are
  absolute and binding (categorical no exceptions
  or excuses)

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Observations about Categorical Imperatives

• CIs derive their authority from within from
  the rational impulse to obey the dictates of
  Reason itself (as an expression of my autonomy)
• CIs command absolutely, unconditionally, no
  ifs, ands or buts (no strings attached)
• CIs are universal, unconditional, NOT subject to
  variation or change
• Duty and the institution of morality are like
  this (as contrasted with the imperatives of
  practical behavior, such as advancing ones
  career, or engineering a particular social order)
• Do this, whether you want to or not, whether you
  can be made to or not, whether anyone will
  notice, reward, praise, or blame you (or not).

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The Categorical Imperative Procedure CI1

• CI1 - Act only on that maxim (intention?)
  through which you can at the same time will that
  it should become a universal law 4
  illustrations
• Do not harm the self (suicide)
• Do not harm or deceive others (lying)
• Do what is good for the self (develop your
  talents)
• Do what is good for others (beneficence)

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The Categorical Imperative Procedure CI2

• CI2 - 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. Note same
  four illustrations, considered from the
  perspective of the agent (i.e., the person
  undertaking the action) rather than action.

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Kants Illustrations
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The Categorical Imperative Procedure (CI3)

• CI3 - The Kingdom of Ends Reason is both the
  source of moral law (legislator) and subject of
  the law (citizen). Accordingly Act always as
  if you were, through your maxims, a lawmaking
  member of the moral community, bound to obey the
  laws you impose upon yourself and others

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Concluding Notes on CI-procedure

• CI1 formula of universal law
• CI2 respect for persons principle
• CI3 Kingdom of Ends
• Kant portrays the first two as derivations from
  the third, which attempts to portray the moral
  situation of a free, rational individual within a
  democratic society

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