Ethics

Ethics Study Guide said action follow universal law? (b) Is it conceivable? (c) If it is, then would this action then be taken? If so, one can accept this action as morally permissible. Kant also felt that if some standard of the rational of the categorical imperative was violated, then immorality was the end result. Freedom plays a central role in Kant’s ethics. He believed reason and freedom are one and the same, yet theoretical reason and practical freedom have inherent differences. One would not be able to demonstrate freedomwhile the other wouldmake that assumption, respectively. Kant states we must think of ourselves as free and take the common sense approach. The thought process one has will influence how one then acts. Kant then considered the motive for following a categorical imperative that led to the creation of the second formula. This formula represents the matter of the moral law, the result of acting from a law valid for all rational beings. Second Formulation – The Formula of Humanity Maxim: Always treat people not as a means, but as an end. First, this formula tells us to respect ourselves and other human beings. Kant called this respect for persons and believed it was a principle of humanity. Kant thought that human beings occupy a special place in creation and other things only have the value that human beings give them. Because we have personal autonomy—we are rational and capable of making our own decisions and guiding our conduct by reason—humans have dignity. Because of this, humans have the duty of beneficence (doing good) to all persons. We may never manipulate people in order to achieve our purposes. Second, it tells us to acknowledge the intrinsic value in people rather than the instrumental value. Kant believed that people are precious creations of God; therefore, they may not be used as instruments for attaining one’s own desires. Each individual must be treated in a way that recognizes his or her uniqueness and value. The second categorical imperative, which is dictated by reasoning for moral action, states that one is never to use another as a means to an end. This is important to understanding Kant’s moral theory, as a whole, in that humans are a means unto themselves. Third Formulation – The Formula of Autonomy and The Formula of the Kingdom of Ends The third formula draws on ideas expressed in the previous formulas. Fo mula of Autonomy Maxim: The decision to act acc rding to a maxim is regarded as having made the maxim a universal law. When we make a Kantian moral decision, we act freely. An external source does not decide for us. The Formula of Autonomy makes explicit the value and dignity of humanity. It focuses on our being potential authors of laws valid for all rational beings. It is our status as potential authors of universal law that is the basis of our dignity. ©2018 Achieve Page 29 of 116