The only requirement of morality is to do our duty – Discuss
40 marks
OCR A-level religious studies
The use of duty is important in moral decision making, due to its reliance on reason which makes it
logical and rational, however it cannot be stated as the only requirement of moral decision making
as other factors should be taken into consideration, such as family relations, love, or happiness.
Kantian ethics was put forward by the German philosopher Immanuel Kant in the 18 th century, and
stems from a belief in an intrinsic moral duty that he called the universal moral law, which he
believed is discoverable through reason. At the time when knowledge of science was widening, Kant
took an interest in widening knowledge about ethics. He introduced his deontological theory which
states that the motive is what makes the action moral; the consequences are irrelevant.
40 marks
OCR A-level religious studies
The use of duty is important in moral decision making, due to its reliance on reason which makes it
logical and rational, however it cannot be stated as the only requirement of moral decision making
as other factors should be taken into consideration, such as family relations, love, or happiness.
Kantian ethics was put forward by the German philosopher Immanuel Kant in the 18 th century, and
stems from a belief in an intrinsic moral duty that he called the universal moral law, which he
believed is discoverable through reason. At the time when knowledge of science was widening, Kant
took an interest in widening knowledge about ethics. He introduced his deontological theory which
states that the motive is what makes the action moral; the consequences are irrelevant.
