Kant IV: Kant's Ethical Theory

The principle we draw from the weakness of human nature is this: moral laws must never be laid down in accordance with human weakness, but are to be presented as holy, pure and morally perfect, be the nature of man what it may; this is very worthy of note. (Kant's Lectures on Ethics, p. 86)

In the pages following this passage, the conclusion to "On Universal Practical Philosophy," Kant introduces a number of concepts that are raised again in the sections on Religion and Morality. By looking closely at these pages we might be able to answer some questions about Kant's conceptions that will make discussions of these later pages easier. Based on pp. 86-89, let's consider the following:

• Why does Kant reject the idea of basing moral laws on our observations about the way the/our world is?
• How is moral law known, and is it discovered or created?
• How is the judgement of conscience distinct from the judgement that takes place when I'm evaluating an argument?
• What does Kant mean by "free" when applied to conscience? what applied to action?
• What is the difference between the circumstances in which we are morally responsible and those in which we are (merely) legally responsible?
• If you decided to be a neo-Kantian in matters of ethics, what would you change, abandon, or keep of Kant's own formulations?
• Could a cyborg and/or a robot apply a Kantian ethical theory in matters of action?

Kant's Lectures on Ethics, pp. 120-220

This time we'll really begin with Jeffrey's conclusions about the first reading assignment, and continue with discussions led by Kate, Rachel and maybe Andy. As we go along we might reflect on whether our approach to and deliberations about the scenarios in Spinello's Case Studies would be changed were we to think of ourselves as Kantians.

A Kantian or Nietzschean Thanksgiving?

To recognize untruth as a condition of life -- that certainly means resisting accustomed value feelings in a dangerous way; and a philosophy that risks this would by that token alone place itself beyond good and evil. (Nietzsche, from Beyond Good and Evil, part I, section 4, p. 202)

On Monday we'll begin discussing Nietzsche, and the contrast with Kant will be rather striking. As you read Beyond Good and Evil, please do the following:

• Identify an area of explicit disagreement between Kant and Nietzsche, and then a disagreement implicit in one or more of their formulations.
• Consider how a Nietzschean might respond differently to the scenarios and dilemmas raised in Spinello.

For Monday:: Read pps. 192-266 in The Basic Writings of Nietzsche (i.e. the Preface and first three parts of Beyond Good and Evil). Ethics.

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