Ethics- BatStateU

MODULE 16
KANTIAN THEORY

Learning Objectives

At the end of the topic, students are expected to:

a) understand the Kantian Theory.
b) determine the role of goodwill in ethics
c) understand the Right Based theory of Kant.

Learning Content
Kantian Theory (Continuation of Module 15)

Main Idea: Right and wrong is determined by rationality, giving universal duties.

Kantianism is a Non-consequentialist moral theory.

Basic ideas: That there is "the supreme principle of morality". Good and Evil are defined in terms of Law
/ Duty / Obligation. Rationality and Freedom are also central. Kant thought that acting morally was quite
simple. That is:

a. you ought to do your duty (simply because it is your duty).

b. Reason guides you to this conclusion.
c. Good Will (i.e., having the right intentions) is the only thing that is good without
qualification. So, actions are truly moral only if they have the right intention, i.e., based
on Good Will.
What establishes Good Will?

- only can be a law of "universal conformity" -- "I should never act except in such a way that I can also
will that my maxim should become a universal law".

This is called the Categorical Imperative = Principle of Universalizability (something like The
Golden Rule). The basic idea is that we should adopt as action-guiding rules (i.e., maxims) only those that
can be universally accepted. Consider someone wondering if they could break a promise if keeping it
became inconvenient. We might formulate the following maxim governing promises:

“I can break promises when keeping them becomes inconvenient.”

Can this be universalized? Kant says no because making promises then becomes, in essence,
contradictory. The thinking is that a promise is, by definition, something you keep. The above maxim
would lead to a contradiction of will, i.e., "I'll make a promise (something I keep), but I'll break it if I
choose". The more general way to understand the Principle of Universalizability is to think that we must

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always ask the following questions: What if everyone did the action you are proposing? Or, what if I were
in the other person's position? This leads to the basic idea behind the Golden Rule.

Kant had another way of formulating the Categorical Imperative that is worth noting.

Never treat anyone merely as a means to an end. Rather, treat everyone as an end in themselves.

We can understand this by noting an example, i.e., the slave society. What is wrong with the slave
society, following the above principle, is that a slave is treated as a means to the slave owner's ends, i.e.,
as an instrument or tool, not as a person. The upshot is that no person's interests (or rights) can be
overridden by another's, or the majority.

Many think that this way of formulating the Categorical Imperative shows that Kantianism is
clearly anti-Utilitarian.

Some things to ask about Kantianism:

● Is it true that having good intentions is the only thing that counts morally?
● Must we always ignore good consequences?
● Is it always wrong to treat people merely as a means to an end? (Can we do otherwise?)
Rights-based Theories of Kant

Main Point: We are to act in accordance with a set of moral rights, which we possess simply by being
human.

Rights-based views are connected to Kantianism and are Non-consequentialist. The basic idea is
that if someone has a right, then others have a corresponding duty to provide what the right requires.

Most distinguish between positive and negative rights. A positive right is one in which the corresponding
duty requires positive action, e.g., giving a charitable donation in order to sustain someone's right to life,
shelter, education, etc. A negative right is one in which the corresponding duty merely requires refraining
from doing something that will harm someone. For instance, the right to life does not require that we give
what is needed to sustain life, rather merely that we refrain from taking any action that would take life.
Some things to ask about Rights-based theories:

● Where do rights come from? From nature (we have them simply by being human)? From principles
of Justice? Or, from Utilitarian procedures?
● How do we decide between competing rights?

Learning Activity
Directions: Write a reflection paper entitled, “My Rights and my Duties”
Ethics- BatStateU

Learning Assessment
Directions: Answer the question below for 25 points.

1. Explain how rights are limited by your duties.

Essay Rubric

Points
5 4 3 2 1
Earned

The essay is The essay is The essay is The essay is The essay
fully focused consistently sufficiently minimally shows little
IDEAS and contains focused and focused and focused. The or no focus
a wealth of contains contains provided and the
● Controlling
ideas and ample ideas some ideas examples are ideas are
idea
● Supporting examples. and and vague or unclear,
ideas The writer examples. examples. general and irrelevant,
● Use of details uses The writer The response the response or
● Awareness of rhetorical may employ is generally demonstrates repetitive.
purpose strategies and rhetorical appropriate to minimal The
● Sense of addresses strategies or the awareness. response is
completeness
counterargum address persuasive incomplete
ents. counterargum purpose. or too brief.
ents.

The The The The The essay

organization organization organization organization shows little
ORGANIZATION of ideas is appropriate is generally is formulaic evidence of
supports the and the appropriate or organizatio
● Introduction/bo
writer’s sequencing of and the ideas inappropriate. n or
dy/conclusion
● Sequence of focus. Ideas ideas is are clearly The response sequencing.
ideas are grouped logical. sequenced, may lack a Transitions
● Grouping of in a logical Varied but may be clear are not
ideas manner. transitions repetitive. introduction used. The
● Effective Effective and are used. Transitions or response is
transitions varied are used conclusion. incomplete
● Awareness of
transitions Transitions or too brief.
purpose
are used. are rare.

The writer The language The language The language The

utilizes and tone of and tone are and tone are language
STYLE carefully the essay appropriate. uneven. and tone
crafted enhance the Word choice Word choice are
● Sentence
phrases to persuasive is adequate, is simple, inappropria
variety
create a purpose. but may be ordinary, or te. Word

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● Word choice sustained Word choice simple or repetitive. choice is

● Audience tone and an is ordinary. There is incorrect or
awareness authoritative appropriate. Some minimal confusing.
● Personal voice voice. Word Sentences are sentence variation in The
choice varied. variety is sentence response is
reflects an evident. length and incomplete
advanced structure. or too brief.
vocabulary.

The writer The writer The writer The writer The writer
demonstrates demonstrates demonstrates demonstrates lacks
CONVENTIONS full command knowledge of sufficient minimal understandi
of the the control of the control of the ng of the
● Sentence
conventions conventions conventions conventions convention
formation
● Subject-verb of written of written of written of written s of written
agreement English English. English. English. English.
● Standard word language. No Errors are Errors may Errors are Errors are
forms errors are minor and do interfere with frequent and pervasive.
● Punctuation, evident. not interfere meaning, but interfere with The
spelling, and with are not meaning. response is
capitalization
meaning. distracting. incomplete
or too brief.

Learning References
1. https://home.sandiego.edu/~baber/gender/MoralTheories.html

2. Pasco, M. O., Suarez, V. F., & Rodriguez, A. M. (2018). Ethics. Quezon City: C & E
Publishing, Inc.