Kantian Ethics Summary:
Hypothetical Imperative= not moral commands, always start with “if”- e.g. if i
want to lose weight, I ought to exercise more.
Categorical Imperative= Moral commands that tell everyone what to do, e.g.
do not murder.
Kant Suggested 3 Basic Tests for if something can be a Categorical Imperative:
1. Can it reasonably become a universal law? E.g. promise keeping cannot
become a categorical imperative
2. Never treat people as a means to an end- never consider yourself
superior to other people
3. Act as if you are a member of The Universal Kingdom of Ends- all
members of society desire the same good
● Kant believed that knowledge begins with experience and practical
reason
● Kant also believed in causality
Causality= A prior knowledge, law of the mind which shapes the way you
experience the world
● Also believed that we have a duty to act morally and follow the moral law
● Idea that you should do something because of your duty not because of
intrinsic or extrinsic rewards
● Can be seen as reflecting ideas/actions of Jesus
● Kant had the idea of the Summum Bonum which is referred to as the
highest good- comprises of virtue and happiness
References to God
● Implies God- humans are “created” as rational beings
● Kant also believed in heaven- if you performed your duty, you would
ultimately achieve happiness and go to heaven
Evaluations of Kantian Ethics:
● Bears similarities to the golden rule of religion- treat others as you want
to be treated
● Impartial and less prone to personal bias
● Secular theory- doesn’t require a belief in God
● Is it true that the outcome doesn’t matter?
● Inflexible- stealing may be justifiable in some situations
● Better showing what we ought to do rather than what we should do
Hypothetical Imperative= not moral commands, always start with “if”- e.g. if i
want to lose weight, I ought to exercise more.
Categorical Imperative= Moral commands that tell everyone what to do, e.g.
do not murder.
Kant Suggested 3 Basic Tests for if something can be a Categorical Imperative:
1. Can it reasonably become a universal law? E.g. promise keeping cannot
become a categorical imperative
2. Never treat people as a means to an end- never consider yourself
superior to other people
3. Act as if you are a member of The Universal Kingdom of Ends- all
members of society desire the same good
● Kant believed that knowledge begins with experience and practical
reason
● Kant also believed in causality
Causality= A prior knowledge, law of the mind which shapes the way you
experience the world
● Also believed that we have a duty to act morally and follow the moral law
● Idea that you should do something because of your duty not because of
intrinsic or extrinsic rewards
● Can be seen as reflecting ideas/actions of Jesus
● Kant had the idea of the Summum Bonum which is referred to as the
highest good- comprises of virtue and happiness
References to God
● Implies God- humans are “created” as rational beings
● Kant also believed in heaven- if you performed your duty, you would
ultimately achieve happiness and go to heaven
Evaluations of Kantian Ethics:
● Bears similarities to the golden rule of religion- treat others as you want
to be treated
● Impartial and less prone to personal bias
● Secular theory- doesn’t require a belief in God
● Is it true that the outcome doesn’t matter?
● Inflexible- stealing may be justifiable in some situations
● Better showing what we ought to do rather than what we should do
