Get thinking.....together.....

In your group agree a response to the following:

1. What are the duties of a doctor, teacher and a student.

2. Suggest 3 reasons why individuals should do their duty?

Get thinking ..... Individually.....

1. Explain what ‘duty’ is and offer at least one example to support your idea.

2. Explain whether a sense of duty falls into absolutist or relativist ethics.

The Categorical Imperative

Immanuel Kant’s contribution to Ethics

1724-1804

Times changed from Aquina’s period....

The Enlightenment: A new departure in Ethical Thinking

Challenge to established teachings of Christianity

Move away from accepted traditionsAway from Church authority – move to

grounding all ethical ideas in the BibleIncrease in literacy

What was Kant looking for?

A universal law that would apply to anyone in any situation

Rejected emotional basis as cloudyEmbraced power of reason as universalFocus on a person’s intentionsKey concept: DUTY

How can we work out what is right & wrong?

Imagine that a shop keeper could short change his customers….

We know that it’s wrong

But HOW do we know that it’s wrong

There are three options…

Why should the shopkeeper not short change his customers?

I don’t want to short change

people

[1]inclination

People would stop using my

shop

[2] consequence

I have a duty not to short

change

[3]duty

Morality cannot depend

on feelings. Feelings change.

Duty is the basis

for ethics

Good outcomes might result from evil actions,

and vice versa. Consequences cannot be the basis of what makes something morally right.

DutyA person’s duty is to perform actions that are morally required , and avoid actions that are morally forbidden – we do it because it is right, not because of the consequences it may bring, we do it for duty itself.

What are the possible reasons that is this girl helping the older lady across the road?

Which of your reasons might fulfil the duty criteria?

•‘There is no such thing as a sense of duty in humankind’

Give 2 points both for and against this statement.

Then chose the side you agree with and say why.

The highest form of good is a good will – to have good will is to do one’s DUTY

‘’Good will shines forth like a precious jewel’’

What does Kant mean by ‘Good Will’?

Doing one’s duty, which is to perform morally good actions and avoid morally bad ones.

Why do we do our duty – because it is our duty?

To perform an action because we desire a consequence, is not morally good. ie. to tell the truth because it is in our interests is not moral – we tell the truth because it is right and our duty.

Kantian Ethics

Moral law within virtue

Duty = + happiness(comes from

doing your duty)

Emotions THE ULTIMATE END

SUMMUM BONUM

The supreme good we seek through moral behaviour