Part I. The Ethics of Duty 9/18/2018 Part I. The Ethics of Duty More than any other philosopher, Kant emphasized the way in which the moral life was centered on duty.

Two Conceptions of Duty 9/18/2018 Two Conceptions of Duty Duty as following orders The Adolph Eichmann model Duty is external Duty is imposed by others Duty as freely imposing obligation on one’s own self The Kantian model Duty is internal We impose duty on ourselves The second conception of duty is much more morally advanced than the first.

Duty and Following Orders 9/18/2018 Duty and Following Orders “I had known the Categorical Imperative, but it was in a nutshell, in a summarized form. I suppose it could be summarized as, ‘Be loyal to the laws, be a disciplined person, live an orderly life, do not come into conflict with laws’—that more or less was the whole essence of that law for the use of the little man.” Adolph Eichmann

Duty and Self-Interest 9/18/2018 Duty and Self-Interest The Grocer Example The grocer with regular customers might be honest just out of self-interest. Duty and Utility: The Suicide Example

9/18/2018 Duty and Inclination Kant was mistrustful of inclinations (Neigungen) as motivations This was part of his view of the physical world as causally determined Saw feelings as Unreliable Passive Phenomenal

Criticisms of the Ethics of Duty 9/18/2018 Criticisms of the Ethics of Duty Moral Minimalism Requirements are not heartfelt Moral Alienation Alienated from feelings Duty and “Just Following Orders” This is not Kant’s genuine position

Part II. Universalizability and the Categorical Imperative 9/18/2018 Part II. Universalizability and the Categorical Imperative Central insight: What is fair for one is fair for all

9/18/2018 Living by Rules Most of us live by rules much of the time. Some of these are what Kant called Categorical Imperatives—unconditional commands that are binding on everyone at all times.

Types of Imperatives Hypothetical Imperative: Categorical Imperative 9/18/2018 Types of Imperatives Hypothetical Imperative: “If you want to learn French, take a French class.” Structure: if…then… Categorical Imperative “Always tell the truth” Unconditional, applicable at all times

9/18/2018 Maxims Maxims, according to Kant, are subjective rules that guide action. Relevant Act Description Sufficient Generality All actions have maxims, such as, Never lie to your friends. Never act in a way that would make your parents ashamed of you. Always watch out for number one. It’s ok to cheat if you need to.

Categorical Imperatives: Universality 9/18/2018 Categorical Imperatives: Universality “Always act in such a way that the maxim of your action can be willed as a universal law of humanity.” --Immanuel Kant

Categorical Imperatives: Respect 9/18/2018 Categorical Imperatives: Respect “Always treat humanity, whether in yourself or in other people, as an end in itself and never as a mere means.” --Immanuel Kant

Lying Is it possible to universalize a maxim that permits lying? 9/18/2018 Lying Is it possible to universalize a maxim that permits lying? What is the maxim? It’s ok to cheat when you want/need to? Can this consistently be willed as a universal law? No, it undermines itself, destroying the rational expectation of trust upon which it depends.

9/18/2018 Academic Cheating Cheating involves not playing by the rules. Is it possible for the cheater to will his/her maxim as a universal law? No, because then others (including the teacher) could refuse to follow the rules as well, failing the cheater even with a good grade.

Exceptions Are exceptions possible for Kant? Examples 9/18/2018 Exceptions Are exceptions possible for Kant? Yes, as long as they can be consistently universalized Examples The speeding car We can universalize an exception for something like ambulance drivers The Gestapo example Can we universalize a maxim to deceive in order to save innocent lives?

Kant and the Alleged Right to Tell a Lie 9/18/2018 Kant and the Alleged Right to Tell a Lie In an essay written near the end of his life, Kant maintained that you are never justified in telling a lie. Beliefs about causality—if you do the right thing, you are not responsible for bad outcomes.

Conclusion Kant saw that morality must be fair and evenhanded. 9/18/2018 Conclusion Kant saw that morality must be fair and evenhanded. The Kantian path offers a certain kind of moral safety in an uncertain world.