Question 1

Talk about:
-Principle of universalizability

Accepted Answer

an act is morally acceptable if, and only if, its maxim is universalizable.

Question 2

Talk about:
-Categorical Imperative

Accepted Answer

a command of reason that requires us to act in a certain way regardless of whether doing so will get us anything we care about.

Question 3

Talk about:
-Universalizable

Accepted Answer

a maxim is universalizable if and only if the goal that it specifies can be achieved in a world in which everyone is acting on that maxim.

Question 4

Write an essay explaining Kant's principle of humanity. State the principle clearly and define any key terms. Give examples to make clear how we are supposed to apply the principle. Does this principle provide a better test of the morality of actions than the principle of universalizability? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

Kant's principle of humanity, also known

Question 5

According to Kant, the consequences of an action

Accepted Answer

A)  determine the moral status of that action. 
B)  are relevant to but do not determine the moral status of that action. 
C)  are irrelevant to the moral status of that action. 
D)  are sometimes relevant and sometimes irrelevant to the moral status of that action. 
A)  determine the moral status of that action. 
B)  are relevant to but do not determine the moral status of that action. 
C)  are irrelevant to the moral status of that action. 
D)  are sometimes relevant and sometimes irrelevant to the moral status of that action.

Question 6

Kant's second formulation of the categorical imperative requires that we

Accepted Answer

A)  treat all living creatures with respect. 
B)  treat the weak and vulnerable with special care. 
C)  maximize happiness. 
D)  treat human beings as ends in themselves. 
A)  treat all living creatures with respect. 
B)  treat the weak and vulnerable with special care. 
C)  maximize happiness. 
D)  treat human beings as ends in themselves.

Question 7

Talk about:
-Paternalism

Accepted Answer

the practice of assu

Question 8

Talk about:
-Principle of humanity

Accepted Answer

Always treat a human

Question 9

Kant claims that the only thing that can be said to be good "without limitation" is

Accepted Answer

A)  happiness. 
B)  the full development of human potential. 
C)  the good will. 
D)  kindness. 
A)  happiness. 
B)  the full development of human potential. 
C)  the good will. 
D)  kindness.

Question 10

According to Kant, actions have moral worth only if they

Accepted Answer

A)  do not harm anyone. 
B)  are done from duty. 
C)  maximize happiness. 
D)  are motivated by benevolence. 
A)  do not harm anyone. 
B)  are done from duty. 
C)  maximize happiness. 
D)  are motivated by benevolence.

Question 11

What does it mean for a moral duty to be absolute? Give an example of a moral duty (besides the principle of universalizability) that Kant believed to be absolute. Does the principle of universalizability require us to regard this moral duty as absolute? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

For a moral duty to be absolute, it mean

Question 12

Write an essay presenting in detail what you take to be the strongest objection to Kant's principle of humanity. Explain the objection and then formulate the strongest reply you can on Kant's behalf. Do you think the objection succeeds? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

One of the strongest objections to Kant'

Question 13

Talk about:
-Absolute

Accepted Answer

moral rules are abso

Question 14

Talk about:
-Hypothetical imperative

Accepted Answer

a command of reason

Question 15

What does Kant think is the fundamental principle of morality?

Accepted Answer

A)  Act so as to bring about the greatest possible amount of happiness. 
B)  Act only on maxims that you can at the same time will to be universal laws. 
C)  Always treat humans as ends in themselves, never merely as means. 
D)  Both b and c 
A)  Act so as to bring about the greatest possible amount of happiness. 
B)  Act only on maxims that you can at the same time will to be universal laws. 
C)  Always treat humans as ends in themselves, never merely as means. 
D)  Both b and c

Question 16

What does Kant claim is the only thing that is "good without limitation?" What arguments does Kant give for this view? Do you find his arguments compelling? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

Kant claims that the only thing that is

Question 17

What is a maxim in Kant's terminology?

Accepted Answer

A)  A wise saying that gives good advice about how to act morally 
B)  A principle upon which one bases one's action 
C)  A false moral principle 
D)  A true moral principle 
A)  A wise saying that gives good advice about how to act morally 
B)  A principle upon which one bases one's action 
C)  A false moral principle 
D)  A true moral principle

Question 18

According to Kant's theory, telling a white lie is

Accepted Answer

A)  morally required. 
B)  morally permissible. 
C)  morally impermissible. 
D)  sometimes morally permissible and sometimes morally impermissible. 
A)  morally required. 
B)  morally permissible. 
C)  morally impermissible. 
D)  sometimes morally permissible and sometimes morally impermissible.

Question 19

Case Study
Imagine that Jesse has promised a friend that he will pick her up from the airport when she arrives in town. Her flight is arriving soon, and Jesse is getting ready to leave to pick her up when he suddenly gets a phone call about an exciting job opportunity. Jesse has been looking for a new job for some time and this one would be particularly good for him in a variety of ways. However, there's a catch-the job needs to be filled right away, so if he cannot come in right now and interview for it, it will go to someone else. Jesse knows it is strongly in his interest for him to go to the interview but also that doing so would mean breaking a promise. He also knows that whether he keeps his promise makes a relatively minor difference in his friend's life compared to the difference in his life is he gets the job.
-Is this a case of conflict between moral duty and self-interest? Do you think Kant was right that moral duty always overrides other demands? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

This is indeed a case of conflict betwee

Question 20

Talk about:
-Maxim

Accepted Answer

a principle of actio

Exam 6: Kantian Ethics

Talk about: -Principle of universalizability

Talk about: -Categorical Imperative

Talk about: -Universalizable

According to Kant, the consequences of an action

Kant's second formulation of the categorical imperative requires that we

Talk about: -Paternalism

Talk about: -Principle of humanity

Kant claims that the only thing that can be said to be good "without limitation" is

According to Kant, actions have moral worth only if they

What does it mean for a moral duty to be absolute? Give an example of a moral duty (besides the principle of universalizability) that Kant believed to be absolute. Does the principle of universalizability require us to regard this moral duty as absolute? Why or why not?

Write an essay presenting in detail what you take to be the strongest objection to Kant's principle of humanity. Explain the objection and then formulate the strongest reply you can on Kant's behalf. Do you think the objection succeeds? Why or why not?

Talk about: -Absolute

Talk about: -Hypothetical imperative

What does Kant think is the fundamental principle of morality?

What does Kant claim is the only thing that is "good without limitation?" What arguments does Kant give for this view? Do you find his arguments compelling? Why or why not?

What is a maxim in Kant's terminology?

According to Kant's theory, telling a white lie is

Talk about: -Maxim

Moral Theory

Moral Reasoning

Skepticism About Morality

The Good Life

Consequentialism

Social Contract Theory

Natural Law

The Ethic of Prima Facie Duties

Virtue Ethics

Feminist Ethics and the Ethics of Care

Abortion

Animals

The Environment

Euthanasia

Economic Justice and Economic Inequality

Globalization and Immigration

The Legacy of Racism

Privacy

The Death Penalty

Drugs

Genetic Engineering

Sexual Morality

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