Prepared by: Recris C.
Alsola
Faculty, Philosophy Department
Historical Origins of Deontological Ethics
● This particular moral theory can be traced back to
the early beginning of human civilization, “at a
time when the word of the chief, or king, (or God or
any other recognized authority for that matter)
was given unconditionally and without invitation to
appeal on the basis of consequences” (Solomon &
Greene 1999:19)
● This kind of theory is sometimes called
Deontological (from the Greek root word “dein or
deon” meaning “to be obligated,” or simply “duty”).
● Deontological or Duty ethics, recognizes only
those actions that are done out of pure duty as the
ones having moral worth.
Kant’s Major Contribution to Deontological Theory
● Immanuel Kant (1724 - 1804)
● German Philosopher whose comprehensive
and systematic work in epistemology, ethics,
and aesthetics greatly influenced all
subsequent philosophy, especially the
various schools of Kantianism and Idealism.
● Kant is recognized as the most important
philosopher who ever lived.
The Good Will: The Heart of Kant’s Ethics
● Kant claims that what makes an act right/good
and wrong/bad does not depend on its results
or consequences, since all these are simply
beyond one’s control----hence a matter of luck or
accident. Thus, the consequences of actions
are entirely out of hands.
● For him, morality, as the sole and exclusive
domain of rational beings, should be something
of which one should have total control.
● Kant’s ethical philosophy is his primary
emphasis on the importance of reason and the
unqualified rational nature of moral principles.
● This, he believes, can only be achieved by
appealing to some universal rational ethical
principle-----an ethical principle that is in the
form of a “maxim” that guides human
actions at all times and in all situations.
● In Kant, morality is primarily, if not solely, a
matter of motive or intention and not a
matter of what one can gain or achieve in
acting.
Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals (published in 1785)
This is the heart of Kant’s ethics:
Duty over Inclination
● The only act that is worthy to be
called moral is an act that is done
not out of inclination but one that is
done out of duty.
● Thus, to be a good person, In Kant’s
view, is to act from a sense of duty
alone.
Duty is Superior to Happiness
● If the consequences of our actions are
the ones that give them moral worth,
then morality becomes contingent to
something outside itself.
● For Kant, the rightness or wrongness
of an act is not determined by its
outcomes or results but by its intrinsic
value.
What is an Imperative?
● An imperative is a command.
● Absolutely necessary
● Required
● Unavoidable
The Categorical Imperative
● According to Kant, “anytime [we do a
certain act] voluntarily, [we] operate
under some kind of maxim, rule or
directive (Falikowski 2004:314)
● A maxim is a personal and subjective
guiding principle on which we act or
behave as contrary to an objective and
external principle or rule upon which we
should act.
● Maxims are part and parcel of our daily
conduct and behavior, whether we are
aware of them or not.
The Principle of Universalizability
● The first formulation of the Categorical
Imperative.
● It states that we must apply the
judgements we make to everyone,
without exception.
● The Categorical Imperative tells us that
it is morally wrong to act on maxim that
we could not will to be a universal law.
The main point here is the very motive
of action.
The Principle of Universalizability
● Maxims that cannot be
universalized or applied
to all without exception
on a consistent basis
are immoral.
The Principle of Humanity (Respect for Persons)
● The second formulation of the
Categorical Imperative.
● Oftentimes referred to as simply
the “Principle of Ends.”
● For Kant, every human being has a
supreme worth and profound
dignity due to the fact that he is a
rational agent.
The Principle of Humanity (Respect for Persons)
● This means that as persons with absolute
and unconditional dignity and value, everyone
should be treated with utmost respect.
● People’s worth is something intrinsic. Human
dignity is intrinsic in us. It makes us who we
are.
● Kant also explicitly insists we should treat
our very selves with respect just like the way
we treat others.
● For Kant, morality covers both the personal
as well as the social domains of human
existence.
The Autonomy of The Will (Kingdom of Ends)
● An act becomes moral when it is
coming from one’s willful
respect or reverence to the
moral law (doing it for the sake
of duty alone.
● Everyone is equal.
● Each one’s dignity is glorified.
● Every person is a noble and
valuable subject.
