1. Immanuel Kant (1724 – 1804) The Freedom of Ethical Thought

2. The Principle of Utility: The Greatest Good for the Greatest Number  A matter of “pain” v “pleasure” (or contentedness?)  The Ends of an action are its only measure (v. intent)  May NOT intentionally cause any harm

3. Virtue Ethics Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics. Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics. The end goals in life: The end goals in life: First to achieve excellence – success First to achieve excellence – success Second, to achieve “happiness.” Second, to achieve “happiness.” The Virtues The Virtues Finding a “Mean” (excess – mean – lack) Finding a “Mean” (excess – mean – lack) Ethics lead to the Politics Ethics lead to the Politics

4. An example? Who is this? Who is this? What reaction does he evoke? What reaction does he evoke? What did he do “WRONG”? What did he do “WRONG”? Was it? Why? Was it? Why?

5. The Revolution Kant’s Epistemology Kant’s Epistemology Old: We Adhere to “reality” Old: We Adhere to “reality” Kant: We give “reality” form Kant: We give “reality” form Reality “conforms” to the mind. Reality “conforms” to the mind. Subjective: Can’t know Nature or Circumstance. Subjective: Can’t know Nature or Circumstance. “Good Will” = absolute good. “Good Will” = absolute good.

6. The Ideal of Human Dignity Common People – Intrinsic Worth (Rousseau) Common People – Intrinsic Worth (Rousseau) Knowledge/Reason: A Priori Knowledge/Reason: A Priori vs a Posteriori vs a Posteriori People An Ends not a Means People An Ends not a Means

7. Reason v. Passion Hypothetical Hypothetical Categorical Categorical Reason as absolute Reason as absolute Knowing what is right v. DOING what is right. Knowing what is right v. DOING what is right.

8. Duty Moral Obligations (Justify?) Moral Obligations (Justify?) Strife in Civil Society = Conflicts from Desire. Strife in Civil Society = Conflicts from Desire. “Categorical Imperative” “Categorical Imperative” CI = not just “right,” but “obligatory” (duty) CI = not just “right,” but “obligatory” (duty)

9. Categorical Imperative Three Formulas (two here) Three Formulas (two here) Formula 1 Formula 1 >Formula of Autonomy (act as if to become a universal law) Free Will? Formula 2 Formula 2 >Formula of Respect for Dignity of Persons (treat as Ends vs. Means)

10. Transcendental Freedom Autonomy of the Will >External Source = Un-free desires, interests, conditionals >Internal/reason as source = Free Adhere to “right” Reason justifies and prompts to action

11. Defining Kant’s Syllogism MAJOR PREMISE: The Categorical Imperative (General) MAJOR PREMISE: The Categorical Imperative (General) MINOR PREMISE: Proposed maxim or action (we act morally as reason obliges) MINOR PREMISE: Proposed maxim or action (we act morally as reason obliges) CONCLUSION: A Substantive Moral Principle is created based on CI. CONCLUSION: A Substantive Moral Principle is created based on CI.

12. Applying Kant’s Syllogism MAJ/P: Making a False Promise is a MORALLY wrong Practice. MAJ/P: Making a False Promise is a MORALLY wrong Practice. You “ought” never to do it. You “ought” never to do it. MIN/P: “I promise that as long as we are dating, we are exclusive…” MIN/P: “I promise that as long as we are dating, we are exclusive…” C: “Wow, that other girl is really into me, but I will have to pass…” C: “Wow, that other girl is really into me, but I will have to pass…”

13. Conclusions Kantian Ethics are right? Kantian Ethics are right? Kantian Ethics are seemingly impossible? Kantian Ethics are seemingly impossible? Misuse: Philosophy Professor example. Misuse: Philosophy Professor example. Freedom – the ability to govern self with reason. Freedom – the ability to govern self with reason.