Deontological Theories - The Kingdom of Ends2014/10/04  ·...

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Deontological Theories

Deontological TheoriesThe Kingdom of Ends

Dr. Clea F. Rees

ReesC17@cardiff.ac.uk

Canolfan Addysg Gydol Oes Centre for Lifelong LearningPrifysgol Caerdydd Cardiff University

Yr Hydref/Autumn 2014

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Deontological TheoriesOutline

Virtue

Vice

Moral

Imm

oral

Ethical

Unethica

lPe

rmissi

bleImpermissible

Outline

The Categorical ImperativeFirst Formulation of The Categorical ImperativeSecond Formulation of The Categorical Imperative

Overview

The Kingdom of Ends

Kant on Omelas

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Deontological TheoriesThe Categorical Imperative

Virtue

Vice

Moral

Imm

oral

Ethical

Unethica

lPe

rmissi

bleImpermissible

The Categorical Imperative

Recall that the Categorical Imperative is:I the single, comprehensive ethical principle;I the ‘Only Guide You Need!’

There is only one principle butI Kant offers multiple formulations.

(We’ve looked at two.)These are allegedly equivalent.

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Deontological TheoriesThe Categorical Imperative

First Formulation of The Categorical Imperative

Virtue

Vice

Moral

Imm

oral

Ethical

Unethica

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First Formulation of The Categorical ImperativeFormula of Universal Law (FUL)

Formula of Universal Law (FUL)Act only on that maxim which you can will as a universal law.

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Deontological TheoriesThe Categorical Imperative

Second Formulation of The Categorical Imperative

Virtue

Vice

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Second Formulation of The Categorical ImperativeFormula of Humanity as an End in Itself (FHEI)

Formula of Humanity as an End in Itself (FHEI)Always act so as to treat rational beings as ends in themselves, andnever merely as means.

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Deontological TheoriesThe Categorical Imperative

Second Formulation of The Categorical Imperative

Virtue

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Moral

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Second Formulation of The Categorical ImperativeMaya Angelou, Graduation

How might FHEI help illuminate the point of Angelou’s story?

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Deontological TheoriesOverview

Virtue

Vice

Moral

Imm

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Ethical

Unethica

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Overview

Good Will (Shining Jewel)⇑

Act from duty⇑

One supreme moral principle=

The Categorical Imperative⇓

First Formulation =? Second Formulation= =

FUL FHEI⇒ Perfect⇒ Imperfect

}Duties

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Deontological TheoriesThe Kingdom of Ends

Virtue

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Moral

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The Kingdom of Ends

The Kingdom of EndsA being is a member of the Kingdom of Ends iff the being is aperson.

The Kingdom of Ends consists of persons, and the ends of persons.

Images: joannelala, 2008 (www.clker.com); Holbein, Joab’s Artifice, 1895 (FCIT, 2014) b

Deontological TheoriesThe Kingdom of Ends

Virtue

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The Kingdom of Ends

Each and every person is:both

1. a sovereign or legislatori.e. aware of the moral law, able

to universalise, able to willaccording to reason etc. etc.

and2. a subject

i.e. subject to those moral laws

Images: joannelala, 2008 (www.clker.com); Holbein, Joab’s Artifice, 1895 (FCIT, 2014) b

Deontological TheoriesThe Kingdom of Ends

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The Kingdom of Ends

In this way, rational beingsdetermine or legislate the moral lawfor themselves.

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Deontological TheoriesKant on Omelas

Virtue

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Moral

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Unethica

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Kant on OmelasWhat should Kant say about Omelas?

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