Exploring Deontological Ethics

What is Kant's Categorical Imperative?

• Kant's Categorical Imperative is a principle that allows for situational ethics.

• Kant's Categorical Imperative is a moral principle that requires actions to be universally applicable.

• Kant's Categorical Imperative is a guideline for personal happiness.

• Kant's Categorical Imperative states that actions should be based on emotions.

How does moral duty differ from personal preference?

• Personal preference is a universal obligation.

• Moral duty is an obligation based on ethics, while personal preference is a subjective choice.

• Moral duty is determined by societal trends.

• Moral duty is always based on personal feelings.

Explain the Universalizability Principle in your own words.

• The Universalizability Principle states that an action is only morally right if it can be universally applied.

• An action is right if it aligns with cultural norms.

• An action is only morally right if it benefits the majority.

• The Universalizability Principle allows for exceptions based on personal circumstances.

What does moral absolutism entail in ethical decision-making?

• Moral absolutism entails that certain moral principles are universally valid and apply to all situations in ethical decision-making.

• Moral absolutism denies the existence of any universal moral truths.

• Moral absolutism allows for subjective interpretations of ethical principles.

• Moral absolutism suggests that moral principles can change based on circumstances.

How do rights and justice relate to deontological ethics?

• Rights and justice are central to deontological ethics as they emphasize moral duties to respect individual entitlements and ensure fairness.

• Rights and justice are irrelevant to moral duties in deontological ethics.

• Deontological ethics focuses solely on the consequences of actions.

• Deontological ethics prioritizes personal happiness over individual rights.

Can you provide an example of a situation where Kant's Categorical Imperative would apply?

• A situation where someone decides to cheat on a test to get a better grade.

• A situation where someone donates to charity for tax benefits.

• A situation where someone considers lying to avoid consequences.

• A situation where someone breaks a promise to avoid hurting someone's feelings.

What role does intention play in deontological ethics?

• Intention is irrelevant in determining moral actions.

• Deontological ethics focuses solely on outcomes, not intentions.

• Intention is only considered in consequentialist ethics.

• Intention is central to deontological ethics as it determines the moral value of an action.

How does deontology address conflicts between duties?

• Deontology resolves conflicts by following the majority opinion.

• Deontology ignores conflicts and treats all duties equally.

• Deontology resolves conflicts by prioritizing duties based on moral principles.

• Deontology suggests that duties should be abandoned in conflicts.

In what ways can moral obligations be seen as universal?

• Moral obligations are determined solely by individual preferences and opinions.

• Moral obligations are universal as they apply to all individuals regardless of culture, based on ethical theories and principles like human rights and empathy.

• Moral obligations vary significantly between cultures and are not universally applicable.

• Moral obligations are only relevant to specific religious beliefs and practices.

Discuss a criticism of moral absolutism in the context of deontology.

• Moral absolutism can lead to inflexible moral judgments that fail to consider context.

• Moral absolutism encourages a subjective approach to ethics that varies by culture.

• Deontology supports moral absolutism by emphasizing the importance of outcomes over rules.

• Moral absolutism allows for flexible moral interpretations based on individual circumstances.