Scribespark

Objectives

• Define and appropriately use important terms such as state of nature, the prisoner’s dilemma, implicit and explicit agreements, social contract, categorical imperative, hypothetical imperative, maxim, and autonomous lawmaker
• Demonstrate knowledge of major arguments for and problems with social contract theory and deontology
• Apply ethical concepts and principles to address moral concerns.

I. What is Absolutism?

• Two approaches: relativism and absolutism
• Divine Command Theory - absolutism
• Social Contract Theory - relativism
• Shared moral values
  • Protect children
  • Do not lie
  • Do not harm others without appropriate cause

II. Kantian Duty

• An ethical theory should be rooted in consistency and fairness, making it universal
• Deon - Gr. duty/obligations
• Immanuel Kant, 18th century
• Moral rules should always be followed because of reason

III. Categorical Imperative

• Imperative
  • Something you ought to do
• Hypothetical "oughts"
  • You ought to do this, to get that.
  • Hypothetical because you may not want that, in which case you don’t have to do this.
  • Goal oriented conduct
• Categorical "oughts"
  • You ought to do this. Period.
  • Morality - an absolute rule, regardless of desire
• Justifying Categorical “oughts"
  • Categorical oughts are justified by reason, not desire
  • Every rational person must accept the Categorical Imperative
  • Consider the maxim (universal rule) that should be followed
  • The person who follows the Categorical Imperative is the Autonomous Lawmaker, the ideal citizen

IV. Advantages of Deontology

• Most lay people enact a form of deontology naturally
• Following maxims is both moral and rational
• Personal equality - one person isn’t special from a moral point of view
• Reliance on reason

V. Criticisms of Deontology

• Determining moral laws in a way that will not generate exception
• Conflicting moral laws
  • The Case of the Inquiring Murderer
    • From “On a Supposed Right to Lie from Altruistic Motives” - Kant
  • You have 3 options.
    • You tell the truth. (“My friend has gone home.”)
    • You say nothing, in which case, the murder will still go to the friend’s house.
    • You lie. (“My friend went in the opposite direction.”)
  • Strategy
    • I lie
      • My friend escapes +
        • But I committed a moral wrong –
      • My friend is killed –
        • And I committed a moral wrong –
    • I tell the truth
      • My friend escapes +
        • And I committed no wrong +
      • My friend is killed –
        • And I committed no wrong because the wrongdoing was committed by the murderer, not me +
    • Consequences are uncertain
    • Better to stick with a known good (that may have a negative effect) than take a chance on a possible good (requiring a negative cause)
• Pessimistic view of foreseeing consequences
• Presumes doing duty absolves us of consequences that result from our action or inaction
• Maxims can be taken to extremes
• Common sense lies (little white lies)