Kant: Duty & absolute moral rules

 

P1: An action is right if and only if it is in accord with the moral rules.

P2: The moral rules are rules required of us by reason.

 

Morality is a Science

 

BAD: Fuzzy Morality

 

The Hypothetical Imperative

 

If you desire X, then you ought to do Y

You desire X

\You ought to do Y

kant

 

GOOD: Absolute Moral Rules

 

Universalizable:

The Categorical Imperative (1st formulation)

                                                            

Act only according to that maxim whereby thou canst at the same time will that it should become a universal law

 

Respects Intrinsic Dignity:

 The Categorical Imperative (2nd formulation)

 

So act as to treat humanity, whether in thine own person or in that of any other, in every case as an end withal, never as means only

 

 

ax murderer

 

Problem (?)

The Case of the Inquiring Murderer

 

Kant’s Key Insight:

 

Morality requires rationality & rationality requires consistency